Power of Diversity: Navigating Racial Biases

This workshop is part of the Institute of Policy Studies Programme on Race, Religion and Intergroup Cohesion (IPS RRIC) and aims to equip students with the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to engage confidently and constructively with issues of bias and insensitivity in multicultural Singapore. Drawing on decades of IPS research in social cohesion, the programme combines multidisciplinary insights with practical tools and activities tailored for students. Through interactive discussions and hands-on learning, participants build confidence to recognize biases, approach sensitive conversations with empathy, and take positive action in challenging situations. Key activities include live polling to capture student perspectives, the IPS H4IPS Racism Meter to understand if 'this is racist?', and opportunities to practice intervention skills in person or in online environments, helping students develop practical skills, foster empathy, and promote inclusive, respectful communities.

Details

The workshop consists of the following segments:

1. Interactive Polling: Students engage in real-time polls discussing everyday scenarios to explore how bias and unfair treatment can range from obvious to subtle forms, encouraging self-reflection and group dialogue.

2. Racism Meter Activity: Using the H4IPS Racism Meter, students assess if a given scenario can be consider ‘racist’ or not. The activity helps participants breakdown the loaded concept of what is ‘racism’ and how insensitivities can be hurtful.

3. Roleplay with interventions or Navigating Difficult Conversations Online (Format flexible based on preference): Students actively practice intervention techniques through roleplay or an online platform, learning and practising how to respond effectively and confidently to incidents of bias or unfair treatment. The session closes with sharing best practices for real-world application.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Understand how racial biases can manifest in different ways in the context of multicultural Singapore

• Recognise behaviours and actions that might hurt or exclude others.

• Build confidence to have respectful and honest conversations about these issues.

• Practise safe and effective ways to speak up or help when they see unfairness, whether online or in person.

• Develop understanding towards people from all backgrounds to help create an inclusive and connected community.

Target Audience: Secondary 1-5, Post Secondary (JC/ Poly/ ITE)

Runtime: All year round

Fee: Please email for more details

Modality: In-person

Duration: 2 hours

Programme Capacity: 25 pax

Website: https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/rric/

Mode of Registration: By email

Due Date for Registration: 1month in advance

Contact Info: Email to ips.rric@nus.edu.sg

Students viewing the results of the racism meter activity at an assembly programme

Participants practicing intervention skills during roleplay segment