Instructions For Running The Privilege Walk

Instructions for running the Privilege Walk
The goal of the privilege walk is to acknowledge that not everyone is starting their academic career
from the same place. The exercise should help the students to recognise and unpack different sorts
of privilege within society. You might like to point out to the students that we sometimes don’t
notice our own privilege because it is so ingrained within our culture. Following on from this
exercise, students should take responsibility as a community for dismantling privilege when coming
up with their rules to enhance the student learning community.
In the exercise, students line up on a starting line and take steps forward or backwards in response
to a series of questions. Students will use assigned identities rather than their own identities. I have
based these identities on what we know about our UG student makeup. (In 2018/2019, 70% of our
undergraduate students identified as female. Over a quarter of our undergraduate students are
international students with a further 14% coming to study in WLS from EU countries. 61% of our
undergraduate students identify as BAME.) Students will have to have some artistic license with
their assumed identity because not all relevant information will be on the card. At the end of the
exercise, if you have time, encourage the students to think about any assumptions they may have
made in relation to their assumed identity to introduce the idea of unconscious bias.
1. Assign each student an identity card.

2. You will need to create a space for the students to take steps forward. This will involve
moving the furniture. The maximum steps a person can take is 20 steps forward. The
minimum is 4 steps backward. Consider the best starting point for the students in the space
you have available. You might also suggest that students take larger or smaller steps.
3. The exercise assumes that everyone is able to step forward and backward. While the
disadvantage of having mobility issues is addressed in the assumed identities, if you have a
student who really has a mobility issue they may not be able to take part in the exercise. If
this is the case, you should acknowledge the issue with the group of students and perhaps
take part in the exercise yourself on that student’s behalf if that is what they would like to
do. The student can read out the questions instead.
The 25 Questions
1. If you are physically able to take a step forward or backward, take two steps
forward.
2. If you were ever uncomfortable about a joke related to your race, religion, ethnicity,
gender, disability, or sexual orientation but felt unsafe to confront the situation, take
one step back.
3. If you can walk down the street, holding the hand of the partner of your choice and
not be afraid that you will encounter violence because of your genders, take a step
forward.
4. If people in the UK rarely get your name wrong and find it easy to remember, take a
step forward.
5. If you were told that you were beautiful, smart and capable by your parents, take
one step forward.
6. If one or both of your parents were/are “white collar” professionals: doctors,
lawyers, etc. take one step forward.
7. If you never have to think about which changing room or toilet to use, take a step
forward.
8. If you don’t have to pay a surcharge to use the NHS, take one step forward.
9. If you saw members of your race, ethnic group, gender or sexual orientation
portrayed on television in degrading roles, take one step back.
10. If you were ever offered a job or an opportunity because of your association with a
friend or family member, take one step forward.
11. If you do not have to ask people to use your preferred pronouns ( e.g. she, he, they),
take a step forward.
12. If your family ever had to move because they could not afford the rent, take one step
back.
13. If you attended private school at any point in your life, take one step forward.
14. If English is your first language, take one step forward.
15. If one or both of your parents have a University degree, take one step forward.
16. If you have usually worked with people you felt were like yourself, take one step
forward
17. If you are able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault, take one
step forward.
18. If you would never think twice about calling the police when trouble occurs, take one
step forward.
19. If you can go to a student event at any time without having to delegate caring
responsibilities, take a step forward.
20. If you could buy a new suit for a formal event or job interview without worrying
about how you would afford it, take a step forward.
21. If you feel comfortable walking home alone at night, take one step forward
22. If you can go anywhere in the country, and easily find the kinds of hair products you
need, or cosmetics that match your skin colour, take one step forward
23. If you are never asked to speak on behalf of a group of people who share an identity
with you, take one step forward.
24. If you or someone in your household suffered or suffers from mental illness, take
one step back.
25. If you have an invisible illness or disability, take one step back.
Dr Maebh Harding

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Instructions for running the Privilege Walk

1. Assign each student an identity card.

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