Blog: Unconscious Bias, an awareness exercise

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When we think of Unconscious Bias, many of us get stuck on the word Bias, refusing the notion that we personally have any form of bias.  Indeed, we all do, it’s human nature to have formed ideas about things, situations and people through our learned experiences, whether knowingly or not.  What it should not be used as is a finger pointing exercise, but an awareness exercise.

Over the past few weeks Cecilia Harvey, EDI Lead at RoyalHaskoningDHV has been running a series of Unconscious Bias webinars as part of the new Diversity in Maritime Professional Development Series.

For those that missed it or would like a refresher, here are some of the take home messages:

What is Unconscious Bias?

Unconscious Biases are stereotypes that we have towards “the other”, and although racial and gender biases are most spoken about, biases cut across all groups and protected categories: race, age, sexual orientations and so on.

An interesting fact: Freud’s comparison of the human mind to an iceberg states that 10% is conscious and 90% is subconscious.

Cecilia notes: "Our unconscious bias can lead us to make suboptimal decisions and if we think how that can hinder our ability to hire and invite people into our organisation based on their skills, we find that it is pretty crucial to have an awareness of when we are doing this by identifying the triggers that may affect our decisions.  Diversity and inclusion is truly about bringing “everyone” into the mix and ensuring that everyone has not only a place, but a voice."

What steps can we take to increase diversity and practice inclusion?

  • Policy review
  • Gender Pay Gap reporting and plan
  • Mental Health awareness. Would like to participate in our new Mental Health in Maritime Network? Click here for more information
  • PPE for women
  • Returners Program

Are you an organisation who has a diversity and inclusion policy you are willing to share? Would you/ your organisation be willing to run a Diversity in Maritime Professional Development opportunity? If so, please get in touch with Chrissie Clarke, Programme Manager (Diversity and Skills).

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