Discussion questions

[STEMMinist]

Q1. Do you think STEMM professionals are more or less likely than the general population to use a “shield of objectivity” rather than admit their own bias?

[STEMMinist]

Q2. “The End of Bias” describes bias as a habit that can be broken by a range of strategies including mindfulness, which can interrupt & deconstruct automatic reactions. Have you seen this strategy successfully used?

[STEMMinist]

Q3. Bias in medicine can result in harm to individuals. “The End of Bias” describes one example of how black women’s pain & pelvic symptoms are commonly attributed to pelvic inflammatory disorder (linked to STIs) rather than endometriosis. What impact does this type of bias have on health overall?

[STEMMinist]

Q4. “Choice architecture” can change biased behaviour not by persuasion but by design. Have you seen examples of its use in your own field?

[STEMMinist]

Q5. The “pipeline” is often used to explain away gender inequity in STEMM fields. However, as Jess Nordell explains in “The End of Bias” if the pipeline were the problem then you would see many women leaders in medicine & other fields where lots of women have entered for decades. What are the key “structural changes to the pipe” that are needed?

[STEMMinist]

Q6. How important are role models or “existence proof” to women & minorities in #STEMM ? Did they play a role in your own choice to pursue STEMM?

[STEMMinist]

Q7. “The End of Bias” describes the extra challenges “pioneers” (those first in their field/position) face on top of being exceptional in their area -eg. the ability to navigate hostile environments, cope with solitude, be unaffected by negative comments. Do you think these “shadow requirements” contribute to a certain type of individual succeeding?

[STEMMinist]

Q8. “Diversity image management” is a way for organisations to appear inclusive while actually including very few and not allowing those individuals actual power. How can this be combated?

[Lucy]

STEMMinist wrote: "Q6. How important are role models or “existence proof” to women & minorities in #STEMM ? Did they play a role in your own choice to pursue STEMM?"
Hi, thanks for letting me join! I think that role models for aspiring women and racial minorities in STEM are highly important, for both 'STEMMinists' and people who don't believe women/minorities don't have the aptitudes do work in STEM. Role models would most likely give STEMMinists more incentive to work in STEMM, and people who don't believe women/minorities don't have the ability to work in STEMM would have proof that women/minorities have potential in STEM.