Ava Chuppe
Contributing Writer
achuppe@murraystate.edu
Dean Rudolph Buchheit of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering presented a seminar on implicit bias surrounding women in male-dominated fields that can impact decision making during hiring, promotion and advancement.
“It all starts, really, with a reminder to yourself and to those you may be in the decision-making process with that we all have implicit bias to contend with,” Buchheit said.
The presentation was titled, “Developing Majority Allies to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Academy.” Murray State’s ADVANCE Grant funded the seminar.
Buchheit particularly addressed the inclusion of women in traditionally underrepresented academic fields such as STEM.
Buchheit said those with privilege have a responsibility to acknowledge it.
“It’s nothing you did,” Buchheit said. “That’s just the way the system and our country is, but you have responsibilities. Are white men aware of the privilege that they enjoy? Men can forget about privilege because they don’t need to think about it, because men don’t have to experience this.”
Despite advocating for equity, Buchheit admitted he was not always aware of the problems women face in his field of engineering.
“Until 2014, I never associated privilege with the collection of benefits that I got,” Buchheit said. “You have to resist the tendency to defend yourself by stating that you are more progressive than most men when it comes to gender diversity.”
As a takeaway, Buchheit told attendees to start small by acting as ambassadors in promoting diversity awareness.
“Work with the willing,” Buchheit said. “Let’s not worry about the people who aren’t here right now. Let’s start with this group.”
Maeve McCarthy, a mathematics professor and the assistant dean of the Jones College of Science, Engineering & Technology, serves as the principal investigator of Murray State’s Catalyst Grant. The grant is aimed at maintaining the recruitment, retention and promotion of women faculty in STEM. McCarthy said ADVANCE has been focusing on implicit bias, particularly toward women in STEM fields.
“It was great to have Dr. Buchheit here,” McCarthy said. “He’s been here all day visiting with us. He came in last night and met with some of our project investigators, and he’s been helpful in sharing some of his experiences at Ohio State University and UK.”
McCarthy said Buchheit plays a large role in diversity programs at the University of Kentucky.
“He’s been very involved in advocate and ally programs there to increase male responsibilities for women’s issues on campus there,” McCarthy said.
Robin Zhang, chair of the department earth and environmental sciences and co-PI of the Catalyst Grant, said she believes men can be equally as aware of gender disparities in the workforce as women are.
“It’s a learning experience,” Zhang said. “Just as any type of disparity, closing the gap would take all of us. When we have more advocates like Dr. Buchheit, it will promote awareness and advance gender equity.”
The ADVANCE Grant, funded by the National Science Foundation, has been at Murray State since 2016. The University is on its second grant from ADVANCE so far, and Buchheit’s presentation was just one event aimed at making an impact on women in STEM.
According to the University’s ADVANCE page, “In this presentation, approaches for elevating DEI awareness and teaching practical skills to majority men are discussed. These approaches build from workshop-based engagements to develop interest and awareness of socially reinforced implicit bias and how it manifests in the behaviors and decision-making that determines how the academic community operates.”
ADVANCE will host a seminar presented by Pamela Harris and Aris Winger titled “Fostering Faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Through Advocacy” on Oct. 26 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Engineering and Physics Room 1303.