UNCONSCIOUS BIAS TRAINING 2022/23

 

In recognition of the various ways in which unconscious bias manifests itself within the film industry, BIFA is partnering once again with ScreenSkills to continue its programme of industry-leading Unconscious Bias Training for the Screen Industries courses for 2022/23.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

This course will look to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to minimise the impact of unconscious bias across all parts of the industry. Using real-life examples to interrogate the ways in which unconscious bias and privilege manifest within film and TV, the course aims to ensure that all participants leave with the practical tools required to reduce the effects of personal and organisational unconscious bias.

Suitable for: all film and TV industry professionals

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of unconscious bias and its impact on behaviour and decision making at work, creative commissioning and networks and contacts
• Understand the bi-directional relationship between unconscious bias and the media
• Describe the relationship between implicit association, unconscious bias, language, stereotypes, attitudes and behaviour
• Challenge processes and language which leave organisational practices and
  decision making vulnerable to unconscious bias
• Address micro-messaging arising from unconscious bias

N.B all participants are requested to take ScreenSkills’ “Addressing Unconscious Bias: Basic Awareness in the Workplace” e-learning module ahead of the session.

All sessions take place via Zoom. To find out about upcoming training sessions, please email hello@bifa.film.

* Thanks to the support of ScreenSkills, we are able to offer a limited number of subsidised and free-of-charge tickets for each training course. If you would like to receive a subsidised or free place on one of our courses, please fill in this form. These tickets will be released a month in advance of the training dates. We will contact you then with the outcome of your request.

BESPOKE TRAINING

We offer bespoke sessions either online or in person for other industry organisations. The sessions are created with your individual organisation in mind, allowing us to provide a more tailored approach. We’ve successfully delivered sessions to a wide range of organisations including BFI, Personal Managers Association, Global Eagle, Film Fatales, Think Jam, Intermission Film and BAFTA.

Our bespoke training is designed to fit the specific needs of your organisation, but for a sense of what’s available, please find below some popular examples of the private sessions we are able to offer:

Unconscious Bias Training: Physical production

This course is aimed at people who work on set in production, and focuses on the various manifestations of unconscious bias across physical production. This means reflecting the experiences of people who work with sound, cameras, lighting, and props as well as hair, makeup, wardrobe and catering. Using real-life examples from production environments, the course is designed to support participants in identifying how they can recognise and address the impact of bias in their work.

Suitable for: anyone involved in physical production

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of unconscious bias and its impact on the production process
• Understand the bi-directional relationship between unconscious bias and the media
• Describe the relationship between implicit association, unconscious bias, language, stereotypes, attitudes and behaviour
• Challenge content, messages and language which may unintentionally reinforce unconscious bias
• Address stereotype threat and micro-messaging arising from unconscious bias

Unconscious Bias training: Creative Process

Ideal for all those involved in the creative process, this training module is designed to help participants counteract the effects of unconscious bias on the way they work when writing and creating content. Using a variety of situational examples the course offers participants the space to consider the ways in which unconscious bias enacts itself at each level of the creative process, from writing to directing, editing to producing and beyond. The course aims to equip participants with the tools required to prevent unconscious bias and to put in place procedures to mitigate against its impact.

Suitable for: anyone responsible for creative narrative (writers, directors, editors, producers)

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of unconscious bias and its impact on decision making in creative working environments, creative output and interactions with work colleagues
• Understand the bi-directional relationship between unconscious bias and the media
• Describe the relationship between implicit association, unconscious bias, language,
  stereotypes, attitudes and behaviour
• Challenge content, messages and language which may unintentionally reinforce
  unconscious bias
• Address micro-messaging arising from unconscious bias

To find out more or to discuss your requirements, please get in touch at hello@bifa.film.

Other courses

As part of our suite of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training events for 2022/23, we also offer Anti-Bullying and Harassment Training, as well as Fair Recruitment and Inclusivity in the Workplace Training. To find out more about our Anti-Bullying and Harassment Training, click here. For Fair Recruitment, click here.

Feedback

Here is what some of our voters had to say about the training:

“It’s a really useful foundation to cover the science behind bias and it helps encourage us to be open-minded. Bias is presented as something we do not necessarily actively choose, but that we can actively/positively influence once we’re aware of it.”

“The session was delivered with clarity and compassion alongside a true comprehensiveness of the subject matter. This allowed the audience to interact and ask questions which were listened to and answered fully.”

“Useful for life and work. Everyone should do this training.”

“I think it was brilliant – the presenter was fantastic, relatable, accessible. She made it feel like a conversation rather than a lecture.”

“I was reluctant to take part as I would typically judge this sort of thing as a waste of time, but . . . the outcome was quite surprising. I am so glad I took part. If only other organisations ensured that all their members did the same!”

“I think we all want to help diversity in our industry but often lack resources or opportunity to make real change – I felt that this session helped push a huge group of industry professionals a step in the right direction.”

TRAINING PARTNERS

ScreenSkills Our Unconscious Bias Training is developed with and funded by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions. ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based creative industries – animation, film, games, television including children’s TV and high-end drama, VFX and immersive technology. They work across the whole of the country to ensure that UK screen has access now, and in the future, to the skills and talent needed for continued success. You can find out more about them here.

Challenge Consultancy Challenge Consultancy deliver our Unconscious Bias Training. Challenge are leaders in the field of inclusion and diversity, they design and deliver innovative and engaging learning solutions for arts and media organisations, central government and other sectors. Their thirty five years experience gained across four continents helps them to create interactive training which grabs attention, holds interest and inspires action. You can find out more about them here.