Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) researchers just published a paper demonstrating the bias faced by aspiring female and minority commercial pilots and showed consumers—and even other pilots—respond more favorably to white male pilots over female and minority pilots. It represents a scientific look at consumers’ perceptions of pilot quality based on their gender or race and could provide strong guidance to the aviation industry, especially as companies consider potential new employees. The research was published in Technology in Society. The experiment involved showing photographs of female and male pilots of various races to participants, then asking them to rate how well they thought the pilots would perform. Respondents gave higher ratings to white male pilots.
ERAU Researchers Examine Gender, Racial Bias in Aviation
Key Takeaways:
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University research found that consumers and even other pilots show implicit bias, rating white male pilots more favorably than female and minority pilots.
- The study demonstrated that unconscious biases exist in perceptions of pilot quality, influencing how participants rated performance based on pilot photographs of various genders and races.
- The findings suggest the aviation industry needs to be aware of and address these biases to ensure fair hiring processes for women and minorities.
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