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NE Community Resource Guide

Power of Diversity: Decoding Racial Biases at the Workplace

This hands-on workshop helps educators spot racial biases, hold sensitive conversations with empathy, and respond to unfairness in school settings.

Last updated 13 August 2026

This workshop is part of the Institute of Policy Studies Programme on Race, Religion and Intergroup Cohesion (IPS RRIC) and aims to equip educators 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 educators. Through interactive discussions and hands-on learning, participants build confidence to recognise biases, approach sensitive conversations with empathy, and take positive action in challenging situations. Key activities include live polling to capture educator perspectives, the IPS H4IPS Racism Meter to understand if 'this is racist?', and opportunities to practise intervention skills in school settings, helping educators develop practical skills, foster empathy, and promote inclusive, respectful communities.

Details

The workshop consists of the following segments:

  1. Interactive Polling: Educators 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, educators assess if a given scenario can be considered ‘racist’ or not. The activity helps participants break down the loaded concept of what is ‘racism’ and how insensitivities can be hurtful. Educators learn how to apply this lens in real classroom situations to identify potential instances of racism, make informed judgments, and intervene appropriately to support students and foster an inclusive learning environment.

  3. Roleplay with interventions: Educators actively practice intervention techniques through roleplay, 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.

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

Target Audience: Educators

Runtime: All year round

Fee: Please email for more details

Modality: In-person

Duration of Session: 2 hours

Programme Capacity: 12-25 pax

Website: https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/rric/programme/the-power-of-diversity-decoding-racial-biases-at-the-workplace/

Mode of Registration: By email

Due Date for Registration:

1 month in advance

Contact: Kindly email Ms Sophy Tio (ips.rric@nus.edu.sg) for enquiries

Three people role-playing a lunch scenario at a workshop, wearing name tags Alex, Sam, and Hazim, with a presentation screen behind them.

Facilitators conducting roleplay intervention segment

A group of people sit at tables in a training room, facing a projected slide titled Casual Pantry Break.

Participants practising intervention skills during roleplay segment