Interrupting Bias CUWIP 2018 LORA LEIGH CHRYSTAL PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Interrupting Bias CUWIP 2018 LORA LEIGH CHRYSTAL PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Awareness

Overview of Session Create common understanding of stereotypes and unconscious bias Try to understand our own unconscious bias Think about why we don t always take action Use role play and scenarios to practice being an ally Myhope is that you leave here having a better sense of your own biases and understand why we have to work as a community to recognize bias in ourselves and others.

Create a safe learning space We are all learning Mistakes are part of learning Uncomfortable situations Assume good intentions Thank you for sharing experiences and taking risks What happens here stays here

Stereotypes A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. (Oxford Dictionary)

A Single Story The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story. Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story, TedTalk

Intersectionality

Unconscious Bias Unconscious biases influence our actions every day, even when by definition we don t notice them. These biases are shaped by our experiences and by cultural norms, and allow us to filter information and make quick decisions. We ve evolved to trust our guts. But sometimes these mental shortcuts can lead us astray, especially when they cause us to misjudge people. Google, Unconscious Bias @ Work

Discussion When have you been stereotyped or experienced unconscious bias?

Discussion When have you stereotyped or been biased towards another person?

Discussion What are the consequences of bias?

There is good news Tactics to remove biases have been shown to improve gender diversity When symphony orchestras adopted "blind" auditions by using a screen to conceal candidates identities, the hiring of women musicians increased. Claudia Golden and Cecilia Rouse, Orchestrating Impartiality: The Impact of Blind Auditions on Female Musicians, NBER Working Paper No. 5903, January 1997

Inclusion needs Allies: Become an Ally If you do not intentionally include, you may unintentionally exclude. Non-dominant group members can speak up for themselves again and again and again and still may not be heard When you are in a majority situation you have the best opportunity to step in as allies. We can all be allies! Each of us needs to decide if, and how, and when, intervening might be appropriate. Inclusive Leadership: The View From Six Countries Catalyst May 2014

Ways bystanders take action Be prepared Change your language, listen positively, set goals to reduce unconscious bias Be visible Join a group, get a button, wear a t-shirt Bring it up Share articles and stories, start conversations, educate others

Format for role play Pick a role in the upcoming scenarios: Person A. Person B. Person C. -- Ally who takes action to show support Observer/Reporter: For each scenario one member of the group will tell us all what happens in your group (what happened, what works, what doesn t). Act it out Switch roles Try another action Discussion (small group large group)

Tips for interrupting bias Point it out Keep your responses short, simple, firm Ask questions Appeal to logic Avoid blame and focus on the situation Use I statements Avoid humor; it usually backfires Frame message for the audience Divert the conversation and revisit privately

Scenario 1 A: Hey Stephanie, guess what I got my dream internship at Cern! B: My friend George didn t get one and he is super-smart. It is a good thing that you are a girl. A: [deflated] I thought my interview went really well, they seemed impressed by my leadership experiences. I guess not B: George is really disappointed, I wouldn t tell him about it. C: [intervenes] Discuss Act out Switch Roles Repeat

Scenario 2 Sally: Hey, I am Sally. Do you want to be my partner for this project? B: Sure. I am Jane and I am a physics major. I am dreading this assignment. A: I am studying Event Management. This looks pretty simple. I think we can knock it out pretty quickly. B: Great, my major is super-demanding and I don t have a lot of time to spend on these required gen ed courses sounds like you would have more free time to work on this. Do you mind? C: [Intervenes] Discuss Act out Switch Roles Repeat

Scenario 3 Alex: Hey Joan, did you sign up for Physics 311 yet? I still need to add it. Joan: Yes, I am so happy I got into Dr. Daniels section. Alex: Oh is that a good professor? Joan: I don t know but I m guessing Dr. Akabahn has an accent so I d rather take it from Dr. Daniels. C: [Intervenes] Discuss Act out Switch Roles Repeat

Scenario 4 Professor: Why doesn t everyone break into groups and assign positions to your team members Emily: Dr. Williams, we are having a hard time deciding on positions. Professor: Just go with what makes sense. Emily, you can take notes. Steve, you are the lead. Zhang, you can work on the calculations. Mohamed, I want you to be thinking about the global impact C: [Intervenes] Discuss Act out Switch Roles Repeat

Commit to an action Be aware of your own Bias Take the Harvard Implicit Bias Test Watch for non-inclusive subtle messages and be prepared to speak up! Or speak privately (practice helps) Hold people accountable Be Visible Talk with two peers about unconscious bias Get involved in an organization that promotes inclusion Do outreach to kids to show the breadth of STEM and the range of people who work in the field.