Graduate Teaching Assistant (Can we eradicate the implicit racial biases that perpetuate social inequality?)

Fixed term for 3 years

University of the Year 2014/2015 – Times Higher Education Awards

Research proposals are invited in the areas below:

Can we eradicate the implicit racial biases that perpetuate social inequality?

There is now considerable evidence of inequalities in employment and education opportunities linked to race or ethnicity. One suggestion is that implicit bias plays a major role in this (Beattie, 2012). The present project addresses the issue of whether any such implicit racial biases can be overcome through simple cognitive interventions. A significant number of psychological studies have demonstrated that implicit racial attitudes can be reliably measured using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and that these implicit attitudes predict behaviours relevant to equality of opportunity, including bias in shortlisting candidates from different ethnic backgrounds (Beattie, Cohen & McGuire, 2013). The present project poses the question of whether the associative outcome measures from the IAT can be eliminated or reversed by simple cognitive interventions. To address this issue, the present project uses the transfer of learning paradigm (Yamaguchi, Jing, & Proctor, 2015), which has been used to modulate other automatic cognitive processes. The project examines whether the IAT outcome can be modulated after the intervention, and if so, how generalizable the effects of the intervention may be beyond the IAT context, particularly to decision making in the context of employment. The project will link experimental psychology with broader societal issues, with the goal of advancing our knowledge of implicit processes in everyday life and whether such processes can be modified or changed. The supervisory team will be led by Dr. Motonori Yamaguchi (Senior Lecturer in Psychology), Prof. Geoff Beattie (Professor in Psychology), and Prof Vini Lander (Professor in Education). Ideal candidates would possess an MSc in a relevant subject, have experience in conducting behavioural research, and be familiar with advanced statistical techniques.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Motonori Yamaguchi (Department of Psychology) at Yamagucm@edgehill.ac.uk

How to apply

Applicants must complete the online application form, attaching one document containing:

• A ‘Research Proposal’ which should not exceed 2,000 words


• A full academic curriculum vitae

Applicants should normally have/be about to obtain, a Masters qualification in a relevant subject.

Selection Criteria:

Selection will be based on the following:

• Your curriculum vitae


• The synergy between your qualifications, research experience and declared research interest


• The quality of the research proposal


• Performance at interview


• Supervisory capacity in the declared area of research


• Previous tutoring/teaching experience and related subject based qualifications


• The strategic and developmental needs of the faculty

The Recruitment Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and asked to give a presentation related to their proposal. Successful candidates at interview will be put forward to a final selection panel which will make the decision on the award of the studentships. Candidates will not have to attend the final panel.

The closing date for all studentships is Sunday 10 April 2016

Interviews will be held between Tuesday 3 May and Wednesday 11 May 2016