Prejudice reduction education: Setting the direction

A research project with Professor Fiona White from the School of Social Psychology at the University of Sydney has resulted in a student-developed, anti-racism and prejudice reduction curriculum. Four lessons, as well as a pre- and post-survey, have been piloted by Year 12 students to help students prepare for the transition to post-school tertiary environments and the workforce.

The story behind the research began in 2021 with a group of students who met with the Intercultural Prefects to discuss ways to prevent microaggressions and prejudice, such as was being witnessed around the world in the wake of COVID-19 outbreaks. The students compiled an extensive literature review and a suggested range of lessons around topics of identity, stereotypes, policy and psychology. Even with comprehensive information on what issues needed to be raised, questions emerged as to the best ways to deliver education around race, diversity and allyship.

With the generous assistance of the Pymble Parents’ Association in the form of a professional learning grant, Head of Secondary Wellbeing, Mrs Melissa Boyd, and Dr Sarah Loch from the Pymble Institute engaged Professor Fiona White to consult with the group. Professor White shared her recent work from the ABC TV program, The School That Tried To End Racism, as well as academic papers and research instruments appropriate for a school community. The group began working with new language to describe in-groups and out-groups, prejudice reduction and cultural awareness.

A series of online meetings with Professor White enabled the students (by now in Year 12) to refine their initial ideas into specific wellbeing lessons which were part of the Pymble Directions program. As part of a staff professional learning session, the students presented their program to a group of K to 12 staff for feedback before running a training program for the teachers who would lead the sessions. The lessons followed the following three focus areas:

• Racism and its reduction through identifying similarities and differences: Where does racism stem from and how can we reduce it? 
• Anti-Racism and Allyship: Understanding and deconstructing racial stereotypes
• Underrepresentation in Media: Let’s talk about race and media

Survey research in the form of an online pre- and post-survey is enabling us to measure the impact of the lessons. Using Professor White’s Cultural Issues Scale, ratings of blatant and subtle prejudice are measured. Pleasingly, the results showed a significant increase in cultural metacognitive intelligence and the lessons could have contributed to this. 

The Anti-racism Allyship group of Year 12 2022 students have left a legacy for future student groups to continue building upon. The students who took the lead in this area are Faye Chang, Isharah Hewavitharana, Fiona Fu, Isabella Ho, Isabelle Chen and Samira Toor, and the College thanks them for their transformational efforts.