SPCS hosts series of workshops led by Destiny Peery on recognizing, combating implicit bias
The School of Professional & Continuing Studies, along with the Osher Lifeling Learning Institute, hosted a series of workshops on recognizing and combating implicit bias during the 2020-2021 academic year. The workshops were led by Dr. Destiny Peery, a social psychologist and legal scholar who specializes in the study of identity, bias and discrimination, diversity, and equity and inclusion.
All workshops were open to SPCS faculty and staff to attend. Two of the workshops were offered specifically to members and guests of the Osher Institute in addition to SPCS faculty and staff.
Workshop on Implicit Bias: Bias-Reducing & Diversity Promoting Decisionmaking
October 26, 2020; Repeated December 1 for Osher members
The Implicit Bias workshop helped participants to learn about the cognitive processes that affect how we perceive and respond to others, and how others perceive and respond to us. Following the workshop, Dr. Peery led participants in a discussion about practical steps that can be taken to address bias in our own lives and positions.
Workshop on Aged Assumptions: How Stereotypes, Assumptions, and Expectations about Age Shape the World around Us
January 7, 2021, designed for Osher members
The Aged Assumptions workshop focused on commonplace stereotypes, assumptions, and expectations based on age, which often are less likely to raise concerns than those based on other social identities. During the workshop, Dr. Peery led a discussion on ways that cognitive biases, including but not limited to stereotypes, affect how different age groups are perceived, as well how aging may affect how we perceive the world around us.
Working across Generations and What To Do When Bias Shows Up
March 4, 2021, primarily for SPCS audience
Because SPCS is a unique educational environment in the university that regularly brings a diverse group of people together across multiple age groups and generations, diversity can both enhance and challenge the experience of being part of the SPCS community. This workshop addressed ways that assumptions and expectations related to age and generation intersect in the interactions, relationships, and roles that people have within the SPCS community. Dr. Peery challenged participants to consider ways that age-related and generational assumptions show up, often subtly, in our interactions with others, and she offered strategies for checking and interrupting these biases, assumptions, and expectations in ourselves and in SPCS structures.
These workshops engaged the SPCS community in identifying and eliminating implicit biases in both personal and professional experiences. The SPCS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion working group engaged Dr. Peery to facilitate this series of workshops as part of the School’s efforts to encourage and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the School.
About Dr. Destiny Peery
Dr. Destiny Peery has recently been named the Interim Managing Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School. She has extensive experience facilitating workshops on cognitive and implicit biases and diversity and inclusion-related topics across the legal profession and other professional communities, including human resources, higher education, the medical profession, and law enforcement.
She has been recognized by workshop participants for her approachable, compassionate style that encourages engagement with often challenging topics. She works most often with lawyers, from law firms to government to public interest, and judges from state and federal courts. You can read her full bio at The Red Bee Group.