Implicit biases are unconscious attitudes or stereotypes, inaccessible to introspection, that impact upon our feelings, evaluations, actions and decisions. There is now considerable psychological evidence for the existence of implicit biases targeting socially stigmatised minorities - even amongst those who are explicitly non-discriminatory, and amongst members of the relevant minorities themselves.
The phenomenon of implicit bias raises a number of pressing metaphysical, epistemological, ethical and political issues, and has thus begun to increasingly attract the attention of philosophers. This conference, on the 15th & 16th of October 2015 @ the University of Leeds, will bring together researchers, postgraduates, and undergraduates in order to build on current research, and to raise awareness of the phenomenon. Download our poster here.
The phenomenon of implicit bias raises a number of pressing metaphysical, epistemological, ethical and political issues, and has thus begun to increasingly attract the attention of philosophers. This conference, on the 15th & 16th of October 2015 @ the University of Leeds, will bring together researchers, postgraduates, and undergraduates in order to build on current research, and to raise awareness of the phenomenon. Download our poster here.
This event is organised by the Leeds 'Minorities & Philosophy' chapter. MAP is a collection of students in English-speaking philosophy departments that aims to examine and address issues of minority participation in academic philosophy. Though primarily led by graduate students, MAP also relies on faculty support and encourages undergraduate participation.
Through MAP's network, students can exchange ideas on topics related to minorities and philosophy, meet and support peers, and learn from other philosophy departments. MAP chapters can choose to provide their respective departments with regular feedback on the department climate.
Though the format of MAP varies from school to school, each chapter aims broadly at addressing (a) minority issues in the profession, (b) theoretical issues regarding philosophy of gender, race, sexual orientation, class, disability, native language, etc, and (c) philosophy done from minority perspectives. Meeting formats include: external or internal speakers, reading groups, film screenings, mentorship events for undergraduates or graduates, panel discussions, practical workshops (e.g., on communication techniques, navigating stereotype threat or implicit bias). Once a year, representatives from each participating school meet to discuss their chapter's progress.
In the short term, MAP provides a forum for students to discuss these topics and connect with interested peers. In the long term, we hope that MAP will contribute to improved department cultures and facilitate increased participation of underrepresented groups in academic philosophy.
Through MAP's network, students can exchange ideas on topics related to minorities and philosophy, meet and support peers, and learn from other philosophy departments. MAP chapters can choose to provide their respective departments with regular feedback on the department climate.
Though the format of MAP varies from school to school, each chapter aims broadly at addressing (a) minority issues in the profession, (b) theoretical issues regarding philosophy of gender, race, sexual orientation, class, disability, native language, etc, and (c) philosophy done from minority perspectives. Meeting formats include: external or internal speakers, reading groups, film screenings, mentorship events for undergraduates or graduates, panel discussions, practical workshops (e.g., on communication techniques, navigating stereotype threat or implicit bias). Once a year, representatives from each participating school meet to discuss their chapter's progress.
In the short term, MAP provides a forum for students to discuss these topics and connect with interested peers. In the long term, we hope that MAP will contribute to improved department cultures and facilitate increased participation of underrepresented groups in academic philosophy.