Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network
Abstract Purpose Increased awareness and mitigation of one’s unconscious bias is a critical strategy in diversifying the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines and workforce. Greater management of unconscious bias can enhance diverse recruitment, persistence,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03466-9 |
| _version_ | 1818240636332015616 |
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| author | Damaris Javier Linda Grace Solis Mirabelle Fernandes Paul Erika L. Thompson Grace Maynard Zainab Latif Katie Stinson Toufeeq Ahmed Jamboor K. Vishwanatha |
| author_facet | Damaris Javier Linda Grace Solis Mirabelle Fernandes Paul Erika L. Thompson Grace Maynard Zainab Latif Katie Stinson Toufeeq Ahmed Jamboor K. Vishwanatha |
| author_sort | Damaris Javier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Increased awareness and mitigation of one’s unconscious bias is a critical strategy in diversifying the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines and workforce. Greater management of unconscious bias can enhance diverse recruitment, persistence, retention, and engagement of trainees. The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of an asynchronous course on unconscious bias for people in STEMM. Specifically, we explored who engaged with the course and reflections from participation. Method A five-part, asynchronous Unconscious Bias Course was developed and was hosted on a national mentoring platform starting in July 2020. To examine course engagement, we assessed the demographics of course participants and completion. Participant responses to reflection questions after each module were also synthesized using qualitative methods. Results Overall, 977 people registered for the course and 42% completed all modules. In the reflection responses, participants reflected on their unconscious biases in their lived experiences and how it relates to actions, judgements, external factors, stereotypes, and un-intentionality. Participants also reflected on microaggressions, their impact on the recipients and others, and the relationship between microaggressions and unconscious bias. Participants reported four key strategies used by allies against unconscious bias: immediately acting (83%), reflection (46%), improving the organizational culture (30%), and individual-level ally-ship (44%). Strategies for self-awareness included: reflection, pausing/breathing, and self-observation. Conclusion The assessment of the Unconscious Bias Course implementation revealed the course reached a wide cross-section of people in STEMM and demonstrated that participants were able to reflect on the underpinnings of the course. This course, and its suite of offerings, support a nationwide effort to mitigate bias and prepare individuals to be culturally competent in a diverse society in order to foster a STEMM environment that caters to individuals’ success and diversification of these fields. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:16:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4320c5c87f8d41a4877ce398fc412fb0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:16:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-4320c5c87f8d41a4877ce398fc412fb02022-12-22T00:23:24ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202022-05-0122111110.1186/s12909-022-03466-9Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring NetworkDamaris Javier0Linda Grace Solis1Mirabelle Fernandes Paul2Erika L. Thompson3Grace Maynard4Zainab Latif5Katie Stinson6Toufeeq Ahmed7Jamboor K. Vishwanatha8Institute for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science CenterUniversity of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic MedicineWestern University of Health Sciences, United States and College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-NorthwestInstitute for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science CenterInstitute for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science CenterVanderbilt University Medical CenterInstitute for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science CenterVanderbilt University Medical CenterInstitute for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science CenterAbstract Purpose Increased awareness and mitigation of one’s unconscious bias is a critical strategy in diversifying the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines and workforce. Greater management of unconscious bias can enhance diverse recruitment, persistence, retention, and engagement of trainees. The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of an asynchronous course on unconscious bias for people in STEMM. Specifically, we explored who engaged with the course and reflections from participation. Method A five-part, asynchronous Unconscious Bias Course was developed and was hosted on a national mentoring platform starting in July 2020. To examine course engagement, we assessed the demographics of course participants and completion. Participant responses to reflection questions after each module were also synthesized using qualitative methods. Results Overall, 977 people registered for the course and 42% completed all modules. In the reflection responses, participants reflected on their unconscious biases in their lived experiences and how it relates to actions, judgements, external factors, stereotypes, and un-intentionality. Participants also reflected on microaggressions, their impact on the recipients and others, and the relationship between microaggressions and unconscious bias. Participants reported four key strategies used by allies against unconscious bias: immediately acting (83%), reflection (46%), improving the organizational culture (30%), and individual-level ally-ship (44%). Strategies for self-awareness included: reflection, pausing/breathing, and self-observation. Conclusion The assessment of the Unconscious Bias Course implementation revealed the course reached a wide cross-section of people in STEMM and demonstrated that participants were able to reflect on the underpinnings of the course. This course, and its suite of offerings, support a nationwide effort to mitigate bias and prepare individuals to be culturally competent in a diverse society in order to foster a STEMM environment that caters to individuals’ success and diversification of these fields.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03466-9 |
| spellingShingle | Damaris Javier Linda Grace Solis Mirabelle Fernandes Paul Erika L. Thompson Grace Maynard Zainab Latif Katie Stinson Toufeeq Ahmed Jamboor K. Vishwanatha Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network BMC Medical Education |
| title | Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network |
| title_full | Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network |
| title_short | Implementation of an unconscious bias course for the National Research Mentoring Network |
| title_sort | implementation of an unconscious bias course for the national research mentoring network |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03466-9 |
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