Symposium

The symposium addressed a variety of questions about the science of diversity, including:

• How do people form impressions of groups and individuals?
• What is the impact of identity on achievement and social relationships?
• How can groups subject to stereotype threat overcome underperformance effects?
• Is the range of acceptable behavior narrower for some groups than for others?
• How can universities use science to impact institutional behavior?  

The purpose of the symposium was two-fold: to set out what research reveals about how bias and exclusion occur, and to suggest how institutions can counteract both to promote more inclusive environments and practices. Speakers presented the latest behavioral and neuroscience research on cognitive bias, judgment, and decision-making. The full-day symposium included the following sessions:  

Introduction

Alan Brinkley, Provost, Columbia University
Geraldine Downey, Professor of Psychology, Columbia University

I. Cognitive Bias, Judgment and Decision Making

Interpersonal Conflict and Assertiveness in the Context of Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities
Daniel Ames, Associate Prof. of Leadership and Ethics, Columbia Business School
presentation

Description and Prescription: How Gender Stereotypes Promote Biased Evaluations of Women
Madeline Heilman, Prof. of Psychology, New York University
presentation 

 
Jennifer Mangels, on attitudes and learning

Attitudes, Activations & Achievement: A Social Cognitive Neuroscience Approach to Mechanisms Underlying Individual Differences in Academic Performance
Jennifer Mangels, Associate Prof. of Psychology, Columbia University
presentation

Moderator: Paul Sajda, Associate Prof. of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University

II. The Effects of Subtle Environmental Changes on Individuals

How Subtle Cues Shape Behavior and Performance
Nalini Ambady, Prof. of Psychology, Tufts University
video clip

Race Out of Place? Bidirectional Associations of Race and Physical Space
Jennifer Eberhardt, Associate Prof. of Psychology, Stanford University
video clip

Identifying the Effect of Diversity on Perceptions of Justice
Richard Brooks, Associate Prof. of Law, Yale Law School
video clip

Moderator: Norma Graham, Prof. of Psychology, Columbia University

III. Structuring Inclusive Environments

Inclusive Educational Environments that Work
Carol Dweck, Prof. of Psychology, Stanford University
video clip 

Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, on friendships

Implications of the interpersonal environment for academic outcomes: Role of cross-race friendships
Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, Assistant Prof. of Psychology, UC Berkeley
presentation

The Reality and Illusion of Diversity: An Intervention to Build Ethnic Diversity and What to Say When There is None
Valerie Purdie-Vaughns, Assistant Prof. of Psychology, Yale University
presentation

Moderator: Mark Cane, Prof. and Chair, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Columbia University

IV. Translating Research Into Action

Gathering Data and Using It to Generate Discussion and Action
Joan Girgus, Special Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty, Princeton University
presentation

The Architecture of Inclusion: The Role of Organizational Catalysts
Susan Sturm, Prof. of Law and Social Responsibility, Columbia Law School
presentation

Moderator: Jean Howard, Vice Provost of Diversity Initiatives, Columbia University 

 
Jean Howard, reflecting on institutional change

Symposium Chair: Geraldine Downey, Prof. and Chair of Psychology, Columbia University

Sponsored by the Provost’s Task Force on Diversity in Science & Engineering,
the Earth Institute ADVANCE Program, the Department of Psychology,
and the  Offices of the Vice Provost for Diversity Initiatives and the Executive Vice President for Research