Behavioural and data scientist to speak about unconscious bias to the School of Life Sciences
By: Jessica Gowers
Last updated: Thursday, 18 June 2020
Freelance journalist and author Dr Pragya Agarwal is giving a Zoom talk on Thursday 25 June at 1pm.
The event is part of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work in the School of Life Sciences and is open to all in the School.
Pragya will give a talk that unravels the way our implicit or 'unintentional' biases affect the way we communicate and perceive the world, and how they affect our decision-making. Her inter-disciplinary approach combines case studies and real-world stories, underpinned by scientific theories and research.
Following Pragya’s talk, the audience will have opportunity to engage with her directly at a Q&A session.
Dr Katy Petherick, co-chair of the School of Life Sciences Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, said: “We are delighted to host this event with Pragya Agarwal. Her talk promises to be fascinating and it is important that we provide the opportunity to speak openly about such important issues around biases in science, academia and our daily lives.”
Pragya is a behavioural and data scientist, and a freelance journalist. As a senior academic in US and UK universities, she has held the prestigious Leverhulme Fellowship, following a PhD from the University of Nottingham.
Pragya is the author of SWAY: Unravelling Unconscious Bias published on 2 April 2020 with Bloomsbury. The book offers a way to change thought processes that is practical, useful, readable and essential.
Pragya has been invited to give keynote talks and workshops around the world, and has appeared on several international podcasts, radio and television channels, such as BBC Woman's Hour, BBC Breakfast, Australian Broadcasting Service, and Canadian Radio. She organised the first ever TEDxWoman event in the north of Englant, and has a podcast called 'Outside the Boxes'.
Pragya’s talk will take place via Zoom on 25 June and begin at 1pm, followed by a Q&A session until 2:30pm.
Members of Life Sciences will be sent a link to join. If you are not in Life Sciences and would like to attend, please book online to receive a link to the event.