Previous EMPOWER workshops
The EMPOWER program consists of multiple modules, with each module made up of a series of workshops. The program is designed to support faculty, staff and students who want to foster an inclusive climate by actively promoting practices that advance equity for all members of our engineering community.
The following are previous workshops in the program.
Module for Spring 2020
Module: Grading for Equity: Promoting Excellence for All
Targeted Audience: Faculty, Staff
Contact: Fatima Alleyne, director of community engagement and inclusive practices, fatima.alleyne@berkeley.edu
Workshop 1: Why grading?
Wednesday, February 5, 12 pm-2 pm in Kresge Engineering Library Training Room
During Workshop 1 we will lay the foundation for the series by providing a historical context of common grading practices and underlying inequities. We will also introduce participants to more equitable practices they can employ to create a more positive student-centered experience.
Workshop 2: Equitable grading in higher education
Wednesday, March 4, 12 pm-2 pm in Kresge Engineering Library Training Room
During Workshop 2 we will take a deeper dive into equitable grading practices in higher education that are accurate and bias-resistant.
Workshop 3: Equitable grading in higher education
Wednesday, April 8, 12 pm-2 pm in Kresge Engineering Library Training Room
During Workshop 3 we will take a deeper dive into equitable grading practices in higher education that are accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational.
Workshop 4: Equitable assessment in higher education
Wednesday, April 29, 12 pm-2 pm in Kresge Engineering Library Training Room
During Workshop 4 we will take a deeper dive into equitable grading practices in higher education that are accurate, bias-resistant, motivational, transparent and student-empowering.
Modules for Fall 2019
Module: Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces for All
Targeted Audience: Faculty, Staff
Contact: Fatima Alleyne, director of community engagement and inclusive practices, fatima.alleyne@berkeley.edu
Workshop 1: Raising Our Awareness of Inclusive Spaces
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10:30 am-12:30 pm in Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Hall
In Workshop 1, Berkeley Interactive Theater will present a new interactive theater presentation developed in collaboration with Berkeley Engineering. Participants will have the opportunity to analyze specific examples of how unconscious bias can interfere with creating classrooms that support the success of all students and foster an “inclusivity mindset” in our teaching and advising.
Workshop 2: Practicing What We Learn About Inclusive Spaces
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 10:30 am-12:30 pm in Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Hall
In Workshop 2, we will explore a wider range of examples of how unconscious biases exert themselves in different learning environments and practice looking at underlying issues and problematic words and behaviors. We will also share specific tools for creating inclusive classrooms and inviting deeper participation in learning.
Workshop 3: Owning the Process of Knowledge Acquisition and Inclusive Applications
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9:30 -11:30 am at 290 Hearst Memorial Mining Building
During Workshop 3 we will provide participants an opportunity to continue practicing “multi-perspective awareness” to support successful multi-cultural interactions and micro-affirmations to foster inclusivity at Berkeley Engineering. We will do problem-solving and coaching, and we will build a toolkit of promising practices.
Module: Showing Up for the Faculty Search
Targeted Audience: Faculty, particularly those serving on search committees; Staff e.g. AP Analysts
Contact: Kara Nelson, associate dean for equity and inclusion, karanelson@berkeley.edu
Workshop 1: Interactive Theater
Thursday, Nov. 14, 10 am-12 pm in Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Hall
In Workshop 1, Berkeley Interactive Theater will present a new skit developed in collaboration with Berkeley Engineering. Participants will have the opportunity to analyze specific examples of how implicit bias can interfere with our efforts to increase the diversity of our faculty.
Workshop 2: Taking a Deeper Look
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 10 am-12 pm at 290 Hearst Memorial Mining Building
Workshop 2 will present evidence on different ways that bias can influence the faculty search process to raise awareness on issues that impede our ability to recruit a more diverse faculty.
Workshop 3: Putting it All Together: from Exposure/Knowledge Acquisition to Application
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 10 am-12 pm, at 290 Hearst Memorial Mining Building
During Workshop 3, participants will have the opportunity to discuss specific strategies to improve our faculty hiring, and to practice participating in difficult faculty dialogues that will support successful multi-cultural interactions and micro-affirmations to foster inclusivity at Berkeley Engineering.
This work is funded by Chevron Corporation and the College of Engineering in partnership with faculty from the Departments of Bioengineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering, as well as students from Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students, Latinx Association of Graduate Students in Engineering and Science, Graduate Women in Engineering, Black Engineering and Science Students Association (BESSA), Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Hispanic Engineers and Scientists (HES).