Blind Spots, Bias and the Brain

Researchers, students, and instructors trade on brainpower for a living. The brain is a beautiful and only partially-understood organ; far more complex than most man-made machines. Machines, when they are free of defects and are properly serviced and maintained, are reliable in their efficiency and execution. The human brain is not. Each action or decision is comprised of conscious and unconscious processes that affect outcomes, and these processes are influenced by numerous factors shaped by history and culture.

 

Dean Richardson will discuss these unconscious mental processes and how they can influence decision-making and judgment within your research, teaching, and interactions with colleagues and students. She will end with some recommendations for safeguarding against the influence of these biases to promote and foster inclusive excellence.