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Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Understanding Bias and Allyship in EDI

Learn to recognise bias and reduce its impact on interpersonal communications and organisational decision making.

854 enrolled on this course

Group of diverse business people talking in a meeting. Business team smiling during a meeting.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Understanding Bias and Allyship in EDI

854 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Learn to lessen the harmful effects of cognitive bias

Bias is a natural part of being human, influencing how we interact with those around us.

On this four-week course, you’ll take a deep dive into the concept of bias, discovering its impact on interpersonal communications and decision making. You’ll learn how to recognise bias at work, how to mitigate negative biases, and how to foster an inclusive workplace that promotes allyship.

Identify different types of bias

Using the work of renowned cognitive psychologists, you’ll explore the different types of biases and consider the importance of recognising our own bias, particularly during decision making processes.

With this self-reflective knowledge, you’ll be able to increase your awareness and articulate the consequences of bias in a range of contexts.

Examine microaggressions and their impact on psychological and social wellbeing

Being unaware of biases can lead to insensitivity to the experiences and challenges of others and, in turn, result in microaggressions.

You’ll use case studies to identify how microaggressions can become commonplace and explore what steps can be taken to address these issues.

Challenging your own opinions, you’ll learn to take steps to overcome personal biases and improve workplace wellbeing.

What is allyship and why does it matter?

One of the most effective ways of combatting bias is through allyship.

You’ll explore what it means to be an ally and its impact on inclusivity in the workplace and wider communities.

You’ll finish this course equipped with the insights and skills to support those negatively affected by bias. You’ll be able to shift from a bystander to an ally and support those around you to promote EDI awareness and practice.

Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds Equality, diversity and inclusion encompasses respect, understanding, kindness and acceptance, and taking the time to learn about EDI can be transformative for all of us. I’m Professor Belinda Colston and I’m the director of the Eleanor Glanville Institute at the University of Lincoln. In our society everyone has the right to be treated fairly with dignity and respect. These are our human rights. This course will help you to understand the psychology and social functions of bias, types of bias, and the ways in which bias can affect our decision making.

Skip to 0 minutes and 36 seconds We’ll look at what it means to be an ally and how the power of allyship can be used for equality, diversity, and inclusion, and we’ll take time to consider the social and psychological aspects of fitting in, and the ways in which microaggressions impact our sense of belonging and well-being. The course will explore equality, diversity and inclusion. That’s EDI from a range of different perspectives. You’ll explore key concepts and build your understanding of EDI so that you can improve your own practice in your professional life. If you’re looking to develop your knowledge and awareness of EDI, or if you’re looking to develop the EDI awareness within your organization, then this is the course for you.

Skip to 1 minute and 17 seconds There’s no prior knowledge required before joining the course. Just an eagerness to learn and an open mind. Everyone can benefit from developing their awareness of diversity and we’re excited to invite you along on this learning journey.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Understanding Bias

    • Yellow letter tiles on a blue background spelling out 'intro'

      Introduction

      In this first activity, you'll get to know a bit more about the course, who we are and have the opportunity to introduce yourself.

    • A latino man stood in outside at nighttime in front of some railing wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. He has the shadow of a hand covering his face.

      Introducing the Concept of Bias

      In this activity, we'll introduce the concept of bias, explore what bias is and consider the different types biases.

    • On a black background, there are 8 images of simple, paper cut out people of different abilities in different colours. For example, there is a person in a wheelchair, a blind person, a person with an amputated leg, indicating that difference is valuable.

      Exploring What Bias Is

      In this activity, we'll explore what bias is in more detail, consider why it's important and present the definition of bias that we'll be using throughout this course.

    • A black and white image of a woman surrounded by foliage holding a small, thin mirror and looking down into it. The mirror is positioned so you can see the woman's eyes through the reflection.

      Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

  • Week 2

    Bias and Decision Making

    • A casually-dressed, young, black woman smiling and holding a framed chalk board with white writing saying 'welcome back'.

      Welcome Back

      This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.

    • A black and white image of a young, White man stood against a black background. He has his hand held drop the middle of his face with his index finger resting along the centre of his face. You can see one side of his face while the other is shadowed.

      Biased Decision Making

      This activity explores why people make biased choices and how many different types of biases there are.

    • A photograph of a glass spherical object in front of mountain scenery. The image in the background in blurred while the image in the spherical object is clear, but smaller, indicating that how we look at things changes our perception.

      Why Does Understanding Our Biases Matter?

      In this activity, we will explore why understanding our biases matter and consider the wider consequences of bias.

    • A black and white image of a woman surrounded by foliage holding a small, thin mirror and looking down into it. The mirror is positioned so you can see the woman's eyes through the reflection.

      Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

  • Week 3

    Inclusion, Exclusion and Fitting In

    • A casually-dressed, young, black woman smiling and holding a framed chalk board with white writing saying 'welcome back'.

      Welcome Back

      This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.

    • Four children are sat in what looks like a school library. Three of the children are sat in a circle together and talking while the other child is outside of the circle, facing away and looking upset indicating he is left out.

      What are Micro-aggressions and Why Do They Matter?

      In this activity, we'll look at what micro-aggressions are, what they can look like and why it's important to recognise them.

    • Against a cream background, there are six people of different sexes and races stood together wearing white shirts, indicating that through their diversity, they make up a strong team.

      How Can You Mitigate Your Biases?

      In this activity, we will look in more depth about the implication of of biases of how we can try to mitigate them.

    • Against a cream background, there are two hands outstretched into a handshake. One hand is that of a Black person and the other from someone with vitiligo.

      Walk Towards Your Biases

      In this activity, we're going to talk about how we can become more aware of our biases and we'll look at a Verna Myers' TED Talk where she advises people to 'Walk Towards Your Biases'.

    • A black and white image of a woman surrounded by foliage holding a small, thin mirror and looking down into it. The mirror is positioned so you can see the woman's eyes through the reflection.

      Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

  • Week 4

    Allyship and Inclusivity

    • A casually-dressed, young, black woman smiling and holding a framed chalk board with white writing saying 'welcome back'.

      Welcome Back

      This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.

    • Against the backdrop of a blue/pink summer sky, there are two hands in a fist bump. One is White and one is Black, indicating that diverse people can coming together to form partnerships effectively.

      Becoming an Ally

      In this activity, we'll consider what an ally is, the roles that they play and how to become an ally.

    • Sat up at a table with drinks and food laid is an Asian person showing a person with Down's syndrome something on the laptop. It looks like a working lunch meeting and they are working together.

      The Impact of Allyship and the Bystander Effect

      In this activity, we'll look at why allyship is important and what the bystander effect is and how to avoid being a bystander.

    • A black and white image of a woman surrounded by foliage holding a small, thin mirror and looking down into it. The mirror is positioned so you can see the woman's eyes through the reflection.

      Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain what bias is and why it matters.
  • Describe the foundation of biased thinking and recognise the different types of bias.
  • Evaluate the impact of bias and micro-aggressions and learn some ways to interrupt negative bias.
  • Explore what being an ally involves and why it's important.
  • Identify acts of performance (passive) and active allyship and bystanding.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for employees working within the public, private, or third sector who have a personal or professional interest in EDI and wish to further their knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion, with a focus on bias and allyship.

It’s also suitable for organisations that wish to develop employee awareness and practice of EDI more broadly.

Who will you learn with?

Belinda Colston

I'm the Director of the Eleanor Glanville Institute at the University of Lincoln, and the University's strategic lead for equality, diversity and inclusion

Megan Walker

Megan is a Researcher at the Eleanor Glanville Institute and is one of the equality, diversity and inclusion course developers.

Who developed the course?

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University of Lincoln

The University of Lincoln is proud to be ranked as a Top 3 University in the WhatUni University of the Year 2024 awards, as well as a triple-gold institution in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.

  • Established

    1996
  • Location

    Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK

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Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 5 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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