Addressing the Cause Behind Inequities<\/h3>\n
Like any organisation, Universities have a racism problem. Racism is present within the University systems as well as in our individual behaviour. Systemic downplaying of racist complaints, discrimination, and microaggressions are just a few examples of racism in the academic environment, which show how much change is needed. And as members of the academic community, we need to be the ones who enact this change.<\/p>\n
The Role of Behaviour Change in the HEART<\/h3>\n
While my background is in health psychology, I am interested in applying my expertise in behaviour change more broadly. I\u2019ve collaborated with clinical psychologists, Dr Adam Danquah <\/a>and Dr Shireen Gaur to deliver the Higher Education Anti-Racism Training<\/a> (HEART). HEART is a university-wide initiative with training stretching across 10 months. We use a group analytical approach that gives people the chance to have meaningful conversations about race and racism in Higher Education. My behaviour change component gives people the space and the skills to address those issues.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n We all want to do better, but sometimes it\u2019s difficult to translate our intentions into actions. The behaviour change component of our training can help people understand why that is the case, but also learn strategies to effectively change our behaviour.<\/p>\n There are simple steps we can take to bridge this gap between what we intend to do and our actions.<\/p>\n For example, if you want to increase the number of people who contribute at meetings then specify how you will do this. You can ask non speakers if they have anything to add or let people know they can email you prior to and after a meeting with comments.<\/p>\n This can involve simple techniques we\u2019re all familiar with like goal setting and action planning. It\u2019s important to set SMART goals (<\/strong>specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time dependent) and to specify precisely when, where and how we\u2019ll do something. It is also useful to think about problem solving. What barriers could you encounter? How could you overcome them?<\/p>\n Doing this work during group sessions, allows people to think about what they want to do and how they\u2019ll do it with lots of helpful input from other people.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also been working on another programme called Get it Together <\/a>with a brilliant team of colleagues including Dr Adam Danquah and Dr Asieh Shomali<\/a>. Get It Together workshops aim to address the achievement gap, which affects not only students from racialised backgrounds but also students with other protected characteristics.<\/p>\n Our first workshop to help people \u2018Get Engaged\u2019 involved a performance from a wonderful group of students sharing their and their peers\u2019 experiences of navigating the academic environment, the barriers they encounter and how we can better support them. The student voice set the scene for the introduction of my behaviour change section, as no one could have watched that performance without feeling the need to address these problems.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n I\u2019m excited about this work as it really feels that I\u2019m using my expertise for something that is valuable. I love that the initiatives highlight that the responsibility for solving these issues belongs to all of us. We don\u2019t have to wait for structural changes from the top, or for a few powerful people to make changes. We have an opportunity to create a more equitable environment today through our work and interactions with others. And for me as a behaviour change researcher, it\u2019s about giving people the space, the support, and the skills they need to enact those changes in their lives.<\/p>\n Dr Tracy Epton<\/a> is a chartered psychologist and a lecturer in psychology and mental health, with research interests in health psychology and health behaviour change.\u00a0To find out more about her work, you can email her at tracy.epton@manchester.ac.uk.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\nWhy We Don\u2019t Always Take Action Despite Our Good Intentions<\/h4>\n
1. Define what behaviours are necessary to achieve your aim<\/h5>\n
2. Use Behaviour Change Techniques<\/h5>\n
‘Getting Engaged’ to Address the Achievement Gap<\/h3>\n
We\u2019re All Responsible \u2013 But that\u2019s a Good Thing<\/h3>\n
About the Author<\/h3>\n
Related<\/h1>\n
Related posts:<\/h3>
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Contact Us<\/h4>\n
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