Managing Unconscious Bias Program

All staff are encouraged to complete the Managing Unconscious Bias Program to help foster a diverse and inclusive work culture.

Everyone has unconscious biases that can unintentionally affect decision-making in the workplace, and impede the growth and development of our colleagues. All UQ staff need to actively address and manage these biases to help create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

The Managing Unconscious Bias Program will:

• provide you with a basic understanding of unconscious biases
• equip you with practical strategies you can implement in your work area to reduce the impact of these biases.

Who should complete the program

All staff are encouraged to complete the program.

It is particularly recommended for staff who are involved in decision-making at key points of the employment cycle, including:

• recruitment and selection
• promotion.

How to complete the program

To complete the program you must complete online training and attend a face-to-face workshop organised by your team or organisational unit.

We recommend that all members of your team complete the program together.

Step 1: Complete the online training

The online training thoroughly addresses unconscious biases surrounding gender. As apart of the training, you'll need to complete:

• three 40-minute learning modules
• an assessment task.

The assessment task measures the strength of unconscious associations, including associations between leadership and gender, age, Indigeneity and ethnicity. You'll receive a ‘takeaway results report’ after you complete it.

To access the online training, enrol through Learn.UQ (Blackboard).

Access the online training (staff login required)

Step 2: Organise and attend a workshop

The Managing Unconscious Bias workshop supplements the online training by:

• addressing unconscious bias surrounding diverse and intersectional groups
• equipping you with practical, bias-mitigating strategies and inclusive practices that can be implemented within your work area.

Workshops need to be organised by your organisational unit or team. The workshop is 1-hour long and should have no more than 20 participants.

How to organise a workshop for your team

To organise a workshop:

1. Get approval from your supervisor.
2. Choose a facilitator from the workshop facilitators list. We are aiming to have facilitators in all organisational units, but you can choose a facilitator from any area.
3. Email the facilitator an outline of your team's needs (e.g. number and timing of workshops), and work with them to schedule dates and times that suit everyone.
4. Once you've agreed on details, book a room with a computer and screen (to display a PowerPoint presentation), and enough room for all attendees.
5. Invite staff who have completed the online training.

If you have questions about organising the workshop, contact your HR Client Services team.

Find a facilitator