DEI Lecture Series: Stereotyping, implicit bias and the experiences of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM

Learning how to recognize and prevent our own bias from having negative impacts is a lifelong practice. Stereotype threat is the risk of confirming negative stereotypes about an individual’s racial, ethnic, gender, or cultural group which can create high cognitive load and reduce academic focus and performance.

Experimental research on implicit bias and stereotype threat has revealed the powerful influence of negative stereotypes on women and URM people in STEM.

This work reveals differential evaluation of women vs. men and majority vs. URM groups, and shows the influence of a more “chilly” or negative climate for members of groups targeted by negative stereotypes.

U-M Professor Denise Sekaquaptewa will describe social science research findings regarding the experiences of White women and underrepresented racial/ethnic minority (URM) people in STEM fields and discuss recommendations for institutional change that can help create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.