Channel 4’s bold and engaging new series will explore a ground-breaking programme that tests for unconscious[i] racial bias in an ordinary class of 11 to 12-year-old pupils.

The Segregation Experiment is based on pioneering American schemes. Led by leading Multicultural Education academics and scientists, pupils will take part in games, exercises and activities, both in and out of the classroom, that will challenge everything they thought they knew about race.

Based in a London comprehensive school and spread across three weeks, a multicultural class of 24 Year 7 students will partake in a series of eye-opening activities as part of their normal school day. Taught by their regular teachers, the pupils will be observed by a team of experts through each stage of the experiment.

Social Psychologist Professor Rhiannon Turner, Queens University Belfast, said “tests have revealed that children as young as six are aware of racial differences but, as a society, we do not talk about them and often take a colour-blind approach to race. Is our failure to discuss race part of the problem? This ground-breaking experiment will look at if it is possible to eradicate bias”.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here