Bias and education
From an early age, you are exposed to all kinds of information that helps you to make associations between things and people. Direct and indirect messages, such as in the media, can create assumptions about characteristics based on ethnicity, age, or gender. This is what we call bias.
Bias can unconsciously influence your actions, your decisions, and ultimately lead to inequality, particularly in healthcare and education. If we, at UMC Utrecht, want to offer all students an equal opportunity to complete their education, we must prevent bias as much as possible from negatively influencing ours students’ chances to succeed. To achieve this, we have organised a bias training.
About our bias training uitklapper, klik om te openen
The aim of the training is to provide participants with insights into the concept of bias and its possible consequences for education. Additionally, participants will also gain insights into their own biases towards students and the importance of this topic for educators.
After an introduction, we discuss the theory behind bias, how biases develop, and the types of bias that exist. We will then examine the effects of bias (especially on education), and participants will share experiences and insights gained from their own education. Finally, we will discuss how we can prevent bias in our role as educators.
Learning goals
After the training…
- You can explain the concept of (implicit) bias and how it develops
- You are aware of your own associations and biases, in general, and regarding students from minority backgrounds
- You have insight into how bias can lead to differences between groups of students in selection, progression, study performance, and study experiences
- You can name ways to reduce bias in education
Who is this training for? uitklapper, klik om te openen
This training has been developed for education providers at UMC Utrecht and is open to lecturers, supervisors, and specialist trainers. Colleagues from Utrecht University who would like to follow our bias training or want to organise a bias training in their department can contact belonging@umcutrecht.nl
Time investment uitklapper, klik om te openen
- Live: half-day with a short online preparation assignment
- Online: one and a half hours of preparation via an e-module and an interactive online session of two hours
Register uitklapper, klik om te openen
You can register for the training via ULearn. Just go to Diversity and Inclusion Learning Path where you will find the e-module and a range of training courses.
During Covid-19, the training will only be available online. Participants must first sit the e-module before the interactive session. Once registered, a link for the online course will be sent to your email account.
Contact uitklapper, klik om te openen
Do you want to know more? Contact us at belonging@umcutrecht.nl