Learning
Make Inclusion a Habit (in just 5 minutes a day)
AWIS offers an experiential learning program to help turn kneejerk responses into more thoughtful, inclusive behaviors.
“If you want to make the world a better place,
take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
Every one of us has biases, but many of them sit below our level of conscious thought. A one-hour lecture may help us become more aware of our biases, but reprogramming biases takes time and practice to become a habit.
AWIS offers a three-month program designed by Dr. Amanda Felkey to help you:
- understand why inclusion matters
- recognize your biases
- avoid becoming defensive and commit to change
- identify when and how to think slowly
- establish new thought patterns that overwrite biases
- enhance empathy
- improve interactions at your workplace or lab
How it works:
1) Daily reinforcement: Each day you will receive a text (or email) with a question or small activity to complete. It could be as simple as change your screen saver to a picture of inclusion, read an article and share it with someone, or think critically about a question. By completing the task, you make a “micro-commitment” to behavior change.
2) Social accountability: You’ll have the opportunity to track your progress, share your commitments with others in your cohort, or read about their experiences on the story board. This practice also helps build a sense of community with likeminded individuals.
Proven success:
We have seen proven success in changing behaviors over time. In one cohort, 90% of participants surveyed indicated that they were behaving more inclusively by the end of the program. In another, 68% of participants self-reported that they listened better, 50% felt more included and connected to their colleagues, 53% put more heart into their job.
When behaviors change, belonging follows!
Get started:
If you want to make the scientific community more inclusive for all, register for our next cohort September 12 through December 12, 2024. The cost is only $199 for AWIS members and $299 for nonmembers. (Not a member? Considering joining!) Be sure to ask your HR department if they offer professional development funds.
Are you ready to commit to change? Register now
If Fall 2024 doesn’t work for you, we can add you to a mailing list for the next cohort.