Unconscious Bias Education Modules

On this page you can access animated modules aimed at providing an introduction to unconscious bias, how it manifests in typical processes and procedures, and how academic units might adopt more inclusive practices by considering these dynamics. These modules can facilitate deeper conversations about interrupting bias and acting to promote more inclusive institutions. This initiative was developed by University Professor Maydianne Andrade as a ‘made in Canada, relevant to the Canadian context’ resource based on the literature, leadership experience of TIDE Co-Chairs, and questions, comments and responses of varied audiences to talks and workshops on these concepts.

Additional modules are in the planning stage. Please help TIDE to improve the resources we offer by completing this anonymous survey after you review the modules.

These modules are designed for everyone seeking education about unconscious bias and how it can affect assessments, decisions, and inclusive climates in their professional lives. While these were designed to be particularly relevant to academic contexts, the underlying challenges with decision-making are common across sectors, and can be informative about inter-personal dynamics in any context.

As self-guided education tools.
As a resource for committees to review prior to assessment activities.
By reviewing the modules with a group, followed by a discussion.
By facilitating a discussion after assigning module review as pre-work.
By integrating the modules into a learning management system (contact tide@utoronto.ca to gain access to appropriate files)

Copyright

Certificates of completion are available at the end of each module.

University of Toronto faculty and staff: if you wish to document completion of these modules you must review them in SuccessFactors (Module 1, Module 2, Module 3, Module 4 [NEW!]). Documentation can be accessed by selecting “view all” under “My learning history” on the SuccessFactors homepage and clicking on the printer icon to the right of the corresponding module title.

Description: This animated module describes Unconscious Bias and provides examples of how unconscious bias may affect our thinking in everyday life. Completing this module and the quiz at the end should take approximately 30 min.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Define prejudice, unconscious bias, and discrimination and indicate how they differ.
Describe how unconscious bias arises from past experiences and stereotypes.
Explain why the negative effects of unconscious bias cause significant impacts on some groups of people more than others.

Discussion questions:

Is it possible that some people have no unconscious biases?
Why is it ok for past experiences to help us make decisions about things (like what to wear on a sunny day) but not about people?

Description. This animated module discusses examples from the literature that illustrate how Unconscious Bias can lead to unfair assessment of the accomplishments, experiences, and expertise of other people who we unconsciously categorize into groups about whom there are common stereotypes. The examples given are particularly relevant for the academic context, but the underlying biases in assessment are relevant in a wide range of different sectors. Completing this module and the quiz at the end should take approximately 30 min.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Describe specific examples of how bias can affect assessment of the abilities and accomplishments of other people.
Explain how common biases can lead to substantial disadvantages across a career.

Discussion questions:

How do we know that the examples discussed represent bias rather than differences in the abilities of people from different population groups?
How do the examples described relate to the types of assessments conducted in your own working or learning environment?

Description. This animated module discusses common manifestations of unconscious bias in committee deliberations and other assessments. It offers suggestions for interrupting biases in personal behaviours, language, and thought processes. The examples of challenges and committee dynamics are particularly relevant for academic institutions, but the underlying concepts are relevant in a wide range of different contexts and sectors. Completing this module and the quiz at the end should take approximately 30 min.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Give examples of how unconscious biases affect common professional assessment processes.
Propose several types of personal practices that can reduce the impacts of unconscious bias.

Discussion questions:

What types of practices in your own working or learning environment might be susceptible to negative impacts from unacknowledged unconscious bias?
What challenges might you anticipate if discussing bias openly with colleagues?
How might you ensure these challenges do not derail efforts to ensure equitable assessment?

Description

This animated module describes practical steps that can be taken to improve the climate and culture of an academic unit. Some actions must necessarily be undertaken by unit leadership, and should involve consultation with University policy, but many can be implemented internally as part of the work of an EDI committee.
Completing this module should take approximately 30 min.

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Prepare for and respond to a climate survey.
Form an equity and inclusion committee for your unit.
Take specific actions that help create an inclusive tone and culture for your unit.

Discussion Questions:

What are the pros and cons of assigning equity and inclusion work to people from equity-deserving groups?
Can you identify any practices currently in place in your unit that might consistently disadvantage people from a particular population group?’
- Can you propose ways to shift these practices to make them more inclusive?