As bell hooks observes, many “professors are more comfortable striving to challenge…biases through the material studied than they are with interrogating how…biases shape conduct in the classroom…” (1994: 187). Indeed, survey data indicates that bias influences interactions in many Berkeley classrooms. Fifty-six percent of Berkeley undergraduates who responded to the 2019 My Experience Survey reported that they experienced exclusionary behavior in interactions with other undergraduates, and 21% reported that this behavior occurred in a class or lab setting. These findings suggest that one of the most impactful ways GSIs can support students’ belonging is by facilitating inclusive interactions in the classroom. A number of actionable steps for doing so appear below.

• Structure Group Work to Foster Belonging and Engagement
• Help Students “Come to Voice”
• Combat Tokenism
• Address Microaggressions
• Make Space for Constructive Conflict
• Solicit Regular Feedback