To help guide OAA Council in its decision-making on various initiatives and programs, as well as to gain a better sense of changing demographics within the architectural profession, the OAA sought to collect feedback from its members and others with Association status in late 2025.

The process followed a similar path as previous OAA Member and Practice Surveys: a set of online anonymous survey links with questions and reporting developed in collaboration with a third-party consultant. As the most recent surveys were in 2019/2020, much has changed since that pre-COVID era, and new questions needed to be added. Other questions were removed to maintain an accessible length.

Innovative Research, which has experience in conducting surveys for self-regulatory bodies, was selected for the task. A subset of Council members formed a 2025 Survey Working Group, which then met with Innovative Research several times to provide strategic direction regarding the questions posed. In addition, a call-out went to OAA Interns and Students to also shape the survey. A selection of those participants provided input to Innovative Research on all the questions, but specifically those most pertinent to individuals on the path to licensure.

After the questions were finalized, comprehensive surveys of both the members and practices was conducted in September 2025. Weekly dedicated emails were sent encouraging participation, as well as reminders via e-newsletters, social media, and banners on the OAA Website.

The Member Survey was completed by 967 individuals, reflecting a participation rate of 11.6%. The Practice Survey was completed by 208 practices—a participation rate of 10.1%. These response rates are consistent with other self-regulatory bodies.

Innovative Research analyzed the survey data, met with the Working Group, and produced the Summary Reports that you can now read on the OAA Website. This information will continue to be considered further in the context of the OAA Strategic Plan, current and future programming, as well as OAA Council policy considerations.