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  2. Inclusive Teaching /
  3. Belonging /
  4. Microaggressions

Microaggressions

What are Micro-Aggressions?

Micro-aggressions are brief, everyday interactions that send denigrating messages to people because they belong to minoritised groups (Rollock, 2019).

Compared to more overt forms of prejudice, micro-aggressions are subtle and insidious, often leaving the victim confused, distressed and frustrated and the perpetrator oblivious of the offence they have caused. We can see micro-aggressions as subtle forms of harassment. They are less obvious than overt prejudice. These more nuanced forms involve behaviours such as: 

  • Casual remarks.
  • Exclusionary behaviours.
  • Questions or comments that reveal assumptions based on stereotypes.
  • Undermining in public.
  • Marginalising or erasing identities.
  • Denial of individual prejudice.
  • Questioning lived experience.

Find out more:

Complete our Noticing and Eradicating Micro-Aggressions module which walks you through a host of information and resources. 

  

Sheffield Hallam University

  • Promoting Student Inclusion - staff guide.
  • Say My Name.
  • Equity Accomplice Development Programme - resources. 

External

Books and Papers

  • Nadal, K. L. (2014). A guide to responding to microaggressions. CUNY Forum, 2(1), 71-76
  • Powell, C., Demetriou, C., & Fisher, A. (2013). Micro-affirmations in academic advising: Small acts, big impact. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. 
  • Sue, D. W., Calle, C. Z., Mendez, N., Alsaidi, S., & Glaeser, E. (2020). Microintervention strategies: What you can do to disarm and dismantle individual and systemic racism and bias. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Sue, D. W. (2010).Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Steele, C. M. (2010). Whistling Vivaldi. How stereotypes affect us and what we can do. Norton.
  • https://www.brown.edu/sheridan/supporting-lgbtq-students

 

Get Support

Student Equality and Inclusion can help support you with staff development on a range of teaching topics and how inclusion can be an integral part of your practice.