UW News

February 17, 2015

Lecture series looks at inequity and quality of life

News and Information

Factors affecting the quality of life for marginalized populations are the focus of a three-part UW lecture series that starts tomorrow.

The 10th Annual Allen L. Edwards Psychology Lectures presents, “The Psychological Science of Inequity and Inequality,” bringing together faculty from the UW Department of Psychology with national experts for the free public talks.

The first, at 7 p.m. Feb. 18, is titled “Implicit Bias: How Should Psychological Science Inform the Law?” and features UW psychology professor Anthony Greenwald and Jerry Kang, professor of law and Asian American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Greenwald will talk about how discrimination can occur without conscious intent, and Kang will discuss the role of implicit bias findings in anti-discrimination statutes.

The talk is fully booked, but people are welcome to come on a standby basis and will be admitted if space is available.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, UW associate professor of psychology Shannon Dorsey and Kathryn Whetten, a professor of public policy and global health at Duke University, will present “Orphaned and At-Risk: Responding Globally to the Needs of Children.” The talk will detail how mental-health needs of children in low- and middle-income countries often go unaddressed, leaving lay counselors to deliver interventions.

On Wednesday, March 4, UW assistant psychology professor Kristina Olson and Michelle Hebl, a professor of psychology at Rice University, will give a talk titled, “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Understanding LGBT Inequities in America Today.” Olson will share initial findings from the first large-scale, national longitudinal study of young transgender children (read more about Olson’s project here), while Hebl will discuss discrimination encountered by the LGBT community in the U.S.

The lectures start at 7 p.m. in Kane Hall, room 130. More information and registration is available online. The talks will also be available March 11 on YouTube.