As an evidence based party we are more than aware that minority groups may be discriminated against, both unconsciously and unintentionally. This is one of the reasons the party runs unconscious bias training.
As human beings we are picking up social cues all the time and they inform our judgement, whether we realise it or not. As was demonstrated in the orchestra research, blind auditions were not enough when auditory cues, such as the distinctive tap of heels on a hard floor, were still present. But in removing both audio and visual cues to judge purely on merit, this has contributed to the increased hiring of female musicians.
I recently asked for the gender split of our most recent unconscious bias training. It was approximately 50:50. Sounds great doesn’t it! Except not particularly when you think about our current gender split in terms of membership.
You are probably aware that our membership split is around 2/3 men and 1/3 women. A truly representative attendance at the training would see a similar ratio.
Men can be the greatest allies to the minority groups within our party, not least because there are more of them, but perhaps it’s time we asked them to step up to help remove the systemic bias to which we can all be subject to. A simple way to help do this is by Local Party Officers and Exec members leading the way in undertaking the unconscious bias training and encouraging all active members to participate in the training too.
Eliminating unconscious bias will help allow the best person for the job to be selected at all levels of party representation and lead to a natural increase of minority representation. Whilst this may not be an immediate fix for any of our diversity issues, it can only help and give us a step in the right direction that we can do right now (or whenever the next unconscious bias training takes place – probably at Autumn’s online conference). I hope to see you at a training event soon.
* Becky joined the party in 2016 and became active straight away, helping Admin the Lib Dem Newbies Facebook group and becoming the candidate in a local by-election within 2 months of joining. Later that year Becky was elected to the ALDC Management Committee and served a two year term. In the meantime Becky has stood locally at each cycle and was Bolton West candidate for both the 2017 and 2019 snap general elections. Having also been selected for the NW European list, Becky supported the NW MEPs as office manager. Becky is vice Chair of her local party and has now picked her ward with the intention of winning it in the next two years.
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11 Comments
Becky, we had unconscious bias training in Trafford back in 2016 but since then our membership has grown significantly as a local party. I would love to attend an event again!
You cannot expect to ‘make everyone in your own image’.
Unconscious bias training is actually training you to hide your true feelings. This is a way of life for many politicians and others with a high public profile. Unfortunately for them, their past Tweetings often come back to haunt them, and give the lie to the persona they are trying to project.
As far as the man in the street is concerned, people do have biases, both conscious and unconscious, and you won’t be able to ‘train’ that out of them, so you will just have to live with that fact.
I just wish more politicians would say what they actually think, rather than trying to hide behind this ‘training’ and so fool the potential voters. There are many serious issues in this country that need to be addressed, but this is not going to get anything done.
A useful suggestion here from this.
How sad and strange that any, in charge of anything should ever discriminate on the grounds of anything. It is very good to see polls reveal men preferred Jo, Women, Ed. This election the same, men prefer Layla, women, ed, this a survey online.
i voted for Jo, support Layla, am a man. Very peculiar some need to be trained about their bias. Mine and many are perplexed in a Liberal party that there are some who so need this, but do indeed.
Having done the party’s Unconscious Bias training, along with lots of it from both the academic and now corporate worlds, I can say that the party’s is by far the best of those I’ve experienced so far.
Unfortunately, the problem with Unconscious Bias training is that the people who are sure they don’t need any are invariably the people who most need it. It’s not very ‘liberal’ to make it compulsory, but I’d say it’s less ‘liberal’ to be comfortable letting the party continue being so very unequal.
I have to say, I’m of a similar view to Lorenzo and instinctively agin UBT. However, I have to say that Becky has explained it in a way that is extremely unthreatening and I have determined to keep an open mind on the subject.
On the other hand, I don’t like John’s use of the word “compulsory”. Compulsory for whom exactly ? Parliamentary candidates ? Council candidates ? Anyone who wants to deliver a Focus ? All members ? Problematic, so say the very least.
Is it me or is there something a little ironic in saying that the problem with unconscious bias training is that people who are sure they dont need it are invariably the people who most need it?
Chris
Often agree but here you might think I am not in favour of such training in some ways, not sure that’s conveyed here, if so, it isn’t accurate.
I am very aware some need it. I do not think as has been said in the responses that it is those who think they do not, who do, these are individual situations, not blanket decisions.
I have delivered much training, not in this, but in areas where people have conversations that are relevant, confidence building, public speaking, assertiveness training, negotiating skills, stuff where people look inwards and outwards also.
Good sessions relate way beyond the narrow, to the inclusive. It means white and black aware of their bias, within their experiences, women and men, their acceptance of stereotypes . And that weight, body type, being transgender, these are important.
Too often, as with the examples of relevant discrimination in professional music, classical field shown, against women, so too their is, from many employers, bias with regard to looks.
Bias , is both negative and positive. My years of working as self employed, employed, unemployed, employer, teaches me, its good to be able to know one has a bias in favour…of doing the right thing, and picking the right person…regardless of characteristics, or because of their character!
Study after study shows that people have unconscious biases that influence how they act and how they react, how they make decisions etc. They don’t realise they have these biases because they are – you guessed it – unconscious.
If you think you’re the exception then I welcome you to go to one of these training events (with an open mind) and meaningfully engage with it.
Lorenzo.
I hope I’m not guilty of putting words into your mouth. You seemed to be expressing disappointment and a little disbelief that there were people in our party who have bigoted tendencies. As always, your approach is thoughtful and nuanced and I always appreciate your analysis, even if we don’t reach the same conclusions.
This is a very difficult issue at this time (hence the need for pre-moderation, I presume). I am sure that everyone here deplores discrimination in its various guises. It does seem that we are keen not to be caught on the wrong side of history and, as a consequence, we seem to be quick to nod vigorously in approval of any idea like UBT, without due consideration of the details.
We are all agreed that humans are prone to unconscious biases. Bias is part of our evolutionary development, specifically a preference for “in group” rather than “out group” members. The theory is that “in group” members are more likely to be safe, reliable and contribute to the success of the group. You can appreciate that in 4000 BC that might have made some sense. Nobody is suggesting that these impulses are relevant or helpful in modern society and it is good that we are all aware of the processes at work, but we must also recognise that because they are an evolutionary adaptation (adaptive bias is a “thing”, Google it if you like !) it may not be possible to remove them altogether in the short term. They are part of our fallen nature.
I do believe that all organisations should train those responsible for appointments to select the person who can add most value and obviously that means looking beyond the applicants superficial characteristics such as gender, age, race.
My fear is that these courses could become politicised and focused on the “big 4” (you know what I mean). If they are seen to serve a particular agenda, rather that be an honest attempt to address all forms of bias, you will encounter resistance from many who will resent the process and at that point the whole thing becomes potentially counter productive.
james you are correct that most have bias, however, bias is positive as well as negative. For years some needed quotas, official positive discrimination, others, me one, practised inbuilt positive discrimination precisely because I was am and ever shall be, aware of the struggles of some individuals as well as groups. It is a little presumptious to imply, not you, but some, that everyone needs to be retrained by often new people working in areas some have been very concerned about and with for years. I think this is why my feeling can and does convey a view i do not have, for indeed I am in favour of training, but also resonance with and rapport with those who have a track record they, we, are very aware is one we not only are not ashamed of but pleased with. As a student I supported vocally the ordination of women in the Catholic church then I was in. As a liberal democrat I campaigned for Jo and am for Layla. As a professional in culture and especially with an increasing emphasis on campaigning and writing, I work with the Ustinov Prejudice Awareness Forum. As I refer above to the training I have carried out, so too here again, I add, we need training, but must not assume a course is the only way. Some of us have spent years exploring such themes.
Chris, would never suggest I have any words put in my mouth from you, and return your generous appreciation by saying ditto, my respect for your honest views.
Is the Liberal Democrat Party in favour of concious bias or against it?