Architecture Social

Stephen Drew speaks with Muyiwa Oki about the 2022 RIBA Presidency election, why members should vote, professional change, engagement, representation and why the election felt different for many people in architecture.

Show Notes

This archive episode captures a 2022 RIBA election conversation with Muyiwa Oki, before he went on to become RIBA President.

Stephen Drew speaks with Muyiwa Oki about the 2022 RIBA Presidency election, why members should vote, professional change, engagement, representation and why the election felt different for many people in architecture.

The conversation covers:

  • Why RIBA elections matter even when turnout is low
  • What made the 2022 campaign feel different
  • How representation and engagement connect to professional change
  • Why younger professionals wanted institutions to listen
  • What the conversation showed about the mood of the profession

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▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHOJFyT9WKY

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/who-is-muyiwa-oki-and-why-is-he-running-for-the-riba-presidency-in-the-2022-election/

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Muyiwa Oki and the 2022 RIBA election
  • 05:00 Why RIBA elections can feel distant to members
  • 10:00 Turnout, engagement and why voting matters
  • 15:00 Muyiwa Oki's background and campaign priorities
  • 20:00 Why this election felt different
  • 25:00 Professional change and representation
  • 30:00 Questions from members and the community
  • 35:00 How the RIBA can rebuild trust
  • 40:00 What younger professionals want from institutions
  • 45:00 Final campaign questions
  • 50:00 Closing thoughts on voting and change

Creators and Guests

Host
Stephen Drew
Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.