Positive Discrimination, Negative Effects?

Positive discrimination, affirmative action, diversity programme… Acknowledging persistent and pervasive inequality comes with the need to do something about it. Just how effective are the structural measures we take? Potential beneficiaries of such programmes are divided in their opinions on this topic, as are those in positions of privilege. Some feel threatened by the allegedly unfair distribution of opportunities, others are disappointed in the effectiveness of positive discrimination programmes, claiming that these merely create the illusion that the problem of inequality is being meaningfully tackled, yet some see and appreciate the value of positive discrimination. The question remains: are positive discrimination efforts effective or do they in fact increase inequality? 

This Mindwise Debate will challenge the effectiveness and the effects of positive discrimination, using the Rosalind Franklin Fellowship (RFF) programme implemented at the University of Groningen as a case study. The purpose of the RFF programme is to promote the advancement of international female academics to the highest levels of the institution. 

The two debating teams will be led Susanne Täuber, Associate Professor & Rosalind Franklin Fellow,  Faculty of Economics and Business, and Petra Rudolf, Professor Experimental Solid State Physics, Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Debaters
Susanne Täuber
Sebastian Adammek
Catherine Moughalian

Petra Rudolf
Mara Bialas
Linsey Keur

Mindwise Debate
Mindwise Debate is a series of public debates organized by Studium Generale Groningen and Mindwise Groningen. The debates have the aim of creating a university-wide platform for risky and engaging dialogue on topics ranging from the role of standardization in education systems to the nature of consciousness. The event consists of a formal debate between two teams composed of both students and staff members from UG followed by an open discussion between everyone in the audience and the debaters.