In the upper echelons of the buzz phrases of this decade, unconscious bias must surely have a place. But what does it mean to have unconscious biases, and how big – or bad – can their impacts be?

In this practical workshop with author and behavioural and data scientist Dr Pragya Agarwal, you will learn that rather than merely a term used in a workplace training manual, unconscious bias infiltrates all aspects of everyday life. You will also discover the diverse forms of bias (hint: there are many more than just racism and sexism), how and why they are formed, and their effects on individuals’ mental and physical health.

Tapping into case studies and science, this workshop will leave you with actionable insights and a practical toolkit of techniques for measuring and mapping your biases, and opening up the conversation with those around you.

Course content

What is unconscious bias?
How is it formed, and what does developmental psychology tell us about how biases are formed in children?
The differences between bias, prejudice and discrimination
Microaggressions, racialisations, privilege and power – and their effect
Can we really measure and map our biases?
Unlearning bias

Tutor profile

Pragya Agarwal is a behavioural and data scientist, and the author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias (which was a Guardian Book of the Week) and Wish We Knew What To Say: Talking with children about race, both published in 2020. After her PhD from the University of Nottingham, she was a senior academic in US and UK Universities for over 12 years and held the prestigious Leverhulme Fellowship. She is also the founder of research thinktank The 50 Percent Project, which examines societal inequities, and a freelance writer for The Guardian, Prospect, Forbes, Huffington Post, BBC Science Focus, Scientific American and New Scientist, among others. Pragya is a two-time TEDx speaker and has given keynotes and talks for schools, universities and charities, and has worked as an anti-racism and inclusivity consultant with global corporate, governmental and research organisations. She has appeared on multiple international podcasts and shows such as NPR, BBC Women’s Hour, BBC Radio 4’s The Spark. She has organised a TEDx Women event and more recently an online South Asian Literary Festival, and hosts the podcast Outside the Boxes. In 2018 she was the winner of the Diverse Wisdom Writing award from Hay House Publishing, was named as one of the 100 influential women in social enterprise in the UK, and was one of 50 people creating change in the UK-India corridor. To learn more visit her website or connect on Twitter.

You will be sent a link to the webinar 1hr before the start time of 6.30pm (GMT).

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6.30pm GMT | 7.30pm CEST | 10.30am PDT | 1.30pm EDT

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

How to overcome your unconscious bias: A workshop with Dr Pragya Agarwal