How stereotypes threaten the academic performance of black, underrepresented populations and what can be done about it will be addressed in a Feb. 2 talk by professor Claude M. Steele, an expert on how stereotypes affect young people and adults .
Steele’s public lecture, “The Science of Diverse Community,” will begins at 12:15 p.m. in Room 175, Knight Law Center, with lunch served shortly before noon. Steele is the third visitor in this year’s African American Workshop and Lecture Series.
Steele is a professor of psychology at Stanford University, a former provost at Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley, and author of “Whistling Vivaldi and Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us.” The book summarizes his years of research on stereotype threat as an important explanatory factor in the "underperformance of minority students in higher education.”
The talk will include his groundbreaking social psychology research on stereotype threats and the challenges students from underrepresented populations encounter, as well as how stereotype threat explains underperformance of white students in contexts where they experience stereotype threat. He will offer general but practical principles for solutions, as well as specific tactics people can use, both as individuals and through institutions, to make diverse university communities work.
Steele will encourage everyone to take part in creating a diverse community where all students feel comfortable, are able to take advantage of opportunities without concern for their identity, and without their identity being a burden to their student experience.
“I’ll be making the argument that we know a lot in science that can be of use to us,” Steele said. “It’s uplifting, actually. There are real, concrete ways to address the challenge that many may not have heard of before.”
As part of his UO visit, Steele also will meet with campus leaders, student groups and the Black Student Task Force and will conduct a workshop with the Teaching Engagement Program and Science Literacy Program on teaching practices.
The African-American Workshop and Lecture Series was sparked by demands raised by the UO’s Black Student Task Force and sponsored by the Office of the President.
RSVPs for lunch are strongly encouraged and appreciated. Further information can be found on the Division of Equity and Inclusion website. The event will also be streamed for the UO Portland campus.
—By tova stabin, University Communications