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Symposium Focuses on How Discrimination, Disparities Impact Children, Teens

By Gail Hairston

The University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for Equality and Social Justice has scheduled its spring symposium 1-4 p.m., Feb. 9, in Kincaid Auditorium at the Gatton College building, with a reception following in Woodward Hall.

Three collegiate educators are featured at the symposium, which will focus on “How Discrimination and Disparities Impact Children and Teens: Research on Ethnicity, Social Class and Sexual Orientation.”

Stacey S. Horn, professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will discuss “Developmental and Contextual Factors Related to Sexual Prejudice Across Adolescence.” Horn’s research focuses on issues of sexual prejudice and bias motivated harassment among adolescents, adolescents’ reasoning about peer harassment, as well as LGBT students’ experiences in schools and communities.

Rashmita S. Mistry, professor of psychology and child development at University of California, Los Angeles, will focus on “Exploring Social Class Identity in Childhood and Adolescence: What, How and Why?” Mistry’s research focuses on consequences of poverty and economic stress on child and family well-being, young children’s reasoning about social class and economic inequality, and children’s social identity development.

Tiffany Yip, professor of psychology at Fordham University, will discuss “The Opportunities and Challenge of Moving Towards Diversity: Discrimination, Sleep and Identity.” Yip’s research focuses on ethnic identity development among minority youth, young adults and adults; direct and indirect association between ethnic identity and psychological adjustment; and the impact of ethnic-specific and general stressors for well-being outcomes.

The three visiting professors’ remarks will be followed by responses from Professor Sherry Rostosky in the UK College of Education and Assistant Professor Jazmin Brown-Iannuzziin the UK College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue