Blog: Unconscious Bias – Speaker Spotlight

Earlier this year, we introduced the latest addition to our Age Inclusive Workplace training programme - our immersive Unconscious Bias workshop.

Since then, we’ve delivered over 30 virtual sessions for many organisations across Scotland and, most recently, a global company whose employees attended from all over the world.

Our Unconscious Bias workshop is one of the first to include age alongside other protected characteristics and uses thought-provoking, immersive digital media to help attendees understand their own unconscious bias as well as what it feels like to be on the receiving end. This increased awareness of our bias and its effects can help to create a real motive for change.

We caught up with workshop presenter and equalities expert Robin Iffla MBE DL, to chat about why he thinks unconscious bias training is so effective.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Stirling of Jamaican parents, my father having come over to Scotland as a professional cricketer. I worked in industry and local government before joining the police service from which I retired after 27.5 years of service. I then took on the role of equalities advisor at my local Fire and Rescue Service and eventually held a ministerial appointment as founding board member of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service where I served for eight years. I am also the director and lead trainer of an equality and diversity company. In 2016 I was awarded an MBE for my work on equalities and community cohesion.

Why do you think unconscious bias training is so important?

There is a debate as to whether the bias is unconscious or conscious when it comes to protected characteristics.

I fundamentally believe that unconscious bias is a product of our personal experiences, cultural environment and our background and that it manifests itself primarily when we make quick or instant decisions about people and places.

Raising our consciousness about our own biases enables us to question our behaviours and decisions with the aim of improving how we interact with people both on a personal and professional level.

Within the workplace it is critical that we work together in a friendly, happy, safe, respectful and inclusive environment where everyone will be able to give of their best and feel confident in doing so.

What makes Age Scotland’s workshop unique?

The Age Scotland workshop uses short film clips, polls, and interactive chat to really engage participants. It challenges them in a safe and friendly learning environment whilst giving them information and tools to develop their thinking. The most common positive feedback we receive is “it made me think”, which for me is one of the key aims of the workshop.

It also looks at unconscious bias from an age perspective. Age is a protected characteristic that is often overlooked yet so important with an ageing population and workforce.

I really enjoy delivering this workshop as I’m passionate about equality and inclusion. I strongly believe that participating in this training can and does make a difference to people’s lives and to workplaces, and for me that is a privilege.

Finally, when you’re not at work or presenting at our workshop, how do you like to spend your time?

As I’m passionate about equalities, I tend to read a lot of books about political figures, factual history and watch a lot of news and current affairs programmes. I am also Deputy Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk, which all combine to keep me active within the local community.

For more information on our Unconscious Bias workshop, visit www.age.scot/unconsciousbias.