A Faculty and Staff Workshop on Microaggression and Implicit Bias: Knowledge and Awareness of Student, Faculty, and Staff Experiences

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy held a workshop to improve faculty and staff's awareness of microaggression and implicit biases. The workshop, held in July 2018, was designed to demonstrate the aggregated marginalization of students, faculty and staff who may self-view as targets. Participants received definitions and categories of microaggression and implicit bias, and they were shown interactive videos of situations that illustrated such practices to cultivate receptivity. An outside consultant was hired to conduct a roundtable and plenary discussions to nurture objectivity. According to a pre-workshop survey, 78% of the 68 respondents had not previously attended such training or seminars. A post-workshop survey, which garnered 62 responses, found that 92% said the session increased their knowledge about microaggression and implicit bias. Furthermore, anecdotal reports indicated there was a residual effect, with faculty and staff continuing the discussions in later months and requesting additional training. The authors concluded the workshop further "demonstrated the importance of addressing conversations that are perceived as difficult, in order to create a diverse and inclusive workplace and learning environment for all."

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