A thread on #Racism and #AccentBias.
All humans have biases. Accent is no exception. We often use these accent associations to make judgments about a speaker.
However, accent bias becomes problematic when we discriminate on the basis of accent. This can be hiring one candidate over another based on the perceived 'suitability' of a given accent for a particular role. This is when accent biases become accent discrimination.
In our research, we have found that those accents which are perceived to be the least prestigious and pleasant are those which are generally spoken by BAME & working-class individuals (see below) 
Whilst there is some overall improvement in ratings, evaluations of BAME and working-class accents are similar to those findings of surveys conducted in 1970 and 2004.
This is problematic because, according to the Equality Act 2010, accent is not a 'Protected Characteristic'. In fact, in a 2006 survey, 76% of employers admitted discriminating candidates on the basis of accent.
Thus, accent can function as a proxy for other forms of discrimination, e.g., racism, classism.
To find out more about #accentbias and its implications, visit our website at:
accentbiasbritain.org
accentbiasbritain.org
Conclusion: We need to examine accent bias as a form of discrimination. Once we do this, we can better address the effects of accent bias on an individual's personal and professional development.
