Bias-aware Teaching, Learning and Assessment by Hurford, Donna; Read, Andrew;

Short description:

With the spotlight on diversity and inclusion, this book offers university teachers informed and practical strategies for raising awareness of bias in teaching, learning and assessment practices and provides approaches to eliminate, limit and mitigate the negative effects of bias on university students.

Long description:

This book offers university teachers informed and practical strategies for raising awareness of bias in teaching, learning and assessment practices. 

Conscious and unconscious biases influence judgements, perceptions, decision making and actions, and societal awareness has now turned the spotlight on how higher education (HE) is addressing bias at institutional and individual levels.  The urgency to do so is evidenced through recent studies which reveal the extent of the effects of discrimination and exclusion experienced by individual students, groups of students and members of staff. It can be difficult to know where to start and how to sustain effective impact to achieve inclusion, equity and equality of opportunity. This book offers informed and practical strategies for raising awareness of bias in teaching, learning and assessment practices and provides approaches to eliminate, limit and mitigate the negative effects of bias on university students.

packed with useful information which enables readers to apply theory to practice in considering how bias operates particularly in the context of higher education. The authors know this context well and share a commitment to enacting the values of social justice through their longstanding practice in teaching and learning. Their subtle and informed approach invites readers to think systematically about how bias might operate strategically, systemically and at an individual level within the academy...This is a powerful and important text...

“This is a book for all of us who suspect we have some unaddressed bias in our academic work and would like to do something about it. Structured around a series of dialogues on situations in which you often find yourself as an academic, the authors identify and describe not only the situation and the possible biases within them but also show ways to address and reflect upon them; both being firmly based on up-to-date and relevant research. To think and act in an unbiased way, the first step is to become aware of your biases and this requires you to be open and willing to reflect. Without condemning or blaming you this book helps you to be open-minded and reflective of dialogues with yourself and colleagues on bias-aware practices.”

a valuable and timely contribution to an under-researched topic. Written by experienced practitioners, this very readable text builds on authentic coaching conversations to explore how conscious and unconscious bias permeates learning and teaching in Higher Education Institutions (HEI)...Overall...(it) is a scholarly, accessible and intensely practical handbook that will appeal to all readers with an interest in examining their own practice and that of their Institution.

Table of Contents:

Introduction Chapter 1 Structural and institutional biases Chapter 2  Interactions Chapter 3 Course design and content Chapter 4 Learning activities Chapter 5 Course assessment Conclusion