Building & Beyond

Co-founded by Mary Melindji and Professor Tabarak Ballal in 2024, Building & Beyond is a student–staff initiative designed to support the progression of women from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds within construction and surveying exclusively for students at the University of Reading. What began as a Partnership in Learning and Teaching (PLanT) project has grown into a long-term platform for mentorship and leadership development bridging the gap between academic learning and industry readiness. Through curated workshops, alumni engagement, and real-world discussion, Building & Beyond creates space for students to develop professionally, build confidence, and access the insights they need to thrive in a historically underrepresented sector. We recognise that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not checkboxes, they are strategic drivers of innovation, belonging, and retention. It’s not just about offering access to the table, but about equipping the next generation to have a voice at that table and the confidence to use it. From its origins as a funded teaching initiative, Building & Beyond is now a growing legacy one that continues to empower, evolve, and challenge the status quo in the built environment.