Unmasking Stereotype Threat & Impostor Syndrome

Stereotype threat, a fear of fulfilling negative stereotypes related to social identities, triggers physiological and psychological processes that can disrupt learning. Impostor syndrome, the internalized doubt of proven abilities, is a common problem for graduate students. Research also shows that an instructor’s beliefs about their own and their students’ abilities impact the classroom environment. In this workshop, we will review research and identify mindful pedagogical practices to recognize and address the impact of these phenomena and their consequences to create a more equitable learning environment.

Learning Goals

After successfully completing this workshop you will be able to:

• Learn the definitions of Stereotype Threat and Impostor Syndrome
• Identify the signs and symptoms of Stereotype Threat and Impostor Syndrome in students and in ourselves
• Build a repertoire of strategies to help mitigate Stereotype Threat and combat Impostor Syndrome for students and ourselves