The symposium addressed a variety of questions about the science of diversity, including:
The purpose of the symposium was two-fold: to set out what research reveals about how bias and exclusion occur, and to suggest how institutions can counteract both to promote more inclusive environments and practices. Speakers presented the latest behavioral and neuroscience research on cognitive bias, judgment, and decision-making. The full-day symposium included the following sessions:
Introduction
Alan Brinkley, Provost, Columbia University
Geraldine Downey, Professor of Psychology, Columbia University
I. Cognitive Bias, Judgment and Decision Making
Interpersonal Conflict and Assertiveness in the Context of Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities
Daniel Ames, Associate Prof. of Leadership and Ethics, Columbia Business School
Description and Prescription: How Gender Stereotypes Promote Biased Evaluations of Women
Madeline Heilman, Prof. of Psychology, New York University
Jennifer Mangels, on attitudes and learning
Attitudes, Activations & Achievement: A Social Cognitive Neuroscience Approach to Mechanisms Underlying Individual Differences in Academic Performance
Jennifer Mangels, Associate Prof. of Psychology, Columbia University
Moderator: Paul Sajda, Associate Prof. of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
II. The Effects of Subtle Environmental Changes on Individuals
How Subtle Cues Shape Behavior and Performance
Nalini Ambady, Prof. of Psychology, Tufts University
Race Out of Place? Bidirectional Associations of Race and Physical Space
Jennifer Eberhardt, Associate Prof. of Psychology, Stanford University
Identifying the Effect of Diversity on Perceptions of Justice
Richard Brooks, Associate Prof. of Law, Yale Law School
Moderator: Norma Graham, Prof. of Psychology, Columbia University
III. Structuring Inclusive Environments
Inclusive Educational Environments that Work
Carol Dweck, Prof. of Psychology, Stanford University
Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, on friendships
Implications of the interpersonal environment for academic outcomes:
Role of cross-race friendships
Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, Assistant Prof. of Psychology, UC Berkeley
The Reality and Illusion of Diversity: An Intervention to Build Ethnic Diversity and What to Say When There is None
Valerie Purdie-Vaughns, Assistant Prof. of Psychology, Yale University
Moderator: Mark Cane, Prof. and Chair, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Columbia University
IV. Translating Research Into Action
Gathering Data and Using It to Generate Discussion and Action
Joan Girgus, Special Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty, Princeton University
The Architecture of Inclusion: The Role of Organizational Catalysts
Susan Sturm, Prof. of Law and Social Responsibility, Columbia Law School
Moderator: Jean Howard, Vice Provost of Diversity Initiatives, Columbia University
Jean Howard, reflecting on institutional change
Symposium Chair: Geraldine Downey, Prof. and Chair of Psychology, Columbia University
Sponsored by the Provost’s Task Force on Diversity in Science & Engineering,
the Earth Institute ADVANCE Program, the Department of Psychology,
and the Offices of the Vice Provost for Diversity Initiatives and the Executive Vice President for Research