Microaggressions with Rachel Kowert

Show Summary:
If you work in trust and safety, you have heard phrases like "it's just a joke" or "I was trying to be funny" A LOT! However, as we look at the data, we can see that microaggressions, a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority, happen A LOT! In this episode, I speak with Rachel Kowert as we discuss microaggressions, how they present, and what we can do as platforms to mitigate and reduce risk when it comes to this type of behavior before it escalates. 

Rachel Bio:
15+ years experience facilitating global policy and product development through data-driven research focused on mental health and trust and safety in digital games.

I have an internationally recognized research portfolio, including 100+ scientific articles, 15+ books, and 100+ appearances across national and international outlets, such as NBC, CBC, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, Wired Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic.

I have been invited to speak to thousands of people across the globe about my work, including the United Nations, Sesame Workshop, US Congress, US State Department, Department of Homeland Security, ESA, VOX Pol, and The International Institute for Justice (IIJ) as well as at conferences such as SXSW, GDC, and G4C.

In 2020, I founded Psychgeist®, a multimedia content production studio for the science of games and pop culture.