Workshop: Diversity and Diversity Policies

 

The Optentia Research Unit invites you to a workshop by Prof. Jasper van Assche.

Date: 9 September 2024

Time: 10:00-13:00

Venue: Optentia Indaba

Title: Diversity and Diversity Policies

 

Notes:

1.     A Zoom link will be available to individuals who cannot attend the workshop in person.

2.     Please contact Lynn Booysen (lynn.booysen@nwu.ac.za) if you want to attend the workshop in person or online.

 

Abstract

The workshop will focus on diversity as well as diversity policies and interactively trying to apply research findings to the South African context. Diversity, i.e., the presence of other social groups in society, can have divergent effects depending on the individual. After discussing these implications, we will examine how diversity is handled, specifically focusing on diversity ideals, practices, and commitment to social change. Together, we will aim to understand the complexities of diversity ideologies, such as poly-culturalism, interculturalism, and colourblindness, and how their endorsement may be associated with either solidarity with disadvantaged groups or a reinforcement of the existing social hierarchy. The workshop will end by proposing ambitions for future theorising and practice.

 

Bio

Jasper is a professor at the Center for Social and Cultural Psychology (CESCUP) at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium). He completed his doctoral dissertation in 2018 and is the author of over 60 peer-reviewed publications. He is Editor-in-Chief at Journal of Social Psychology Research and Associate Editor of Journal of Social and Political Psychology. He has also received the Belgian Association for Psychological Sciences Best PhD Award 2019 and the “Prix de Psychologie”, awarded by the Belgian Royal Academy for best doctoral dissertation in psychological sciences between 2016 and 2018. His research deals with the role of diversity in society, political attitudes, intergroup relations, and prejudice.