Trisha Nguyen Social Science
Under the Radar: Unmasking Disability Bias in a Meritocratic World
Scholars Journal
Meritocracy is often upheld as a model of fairness and objectivity in allocating opportunities. However, past research has demonstrated the incompatibility of meritocracy with the realities of systemic bias. While many have investigated the connection between beliefs in a meritocratic system and inequality, disability has remained largely absent from this discourse. Trisha's research focuses on this gap by studying how meritocratic values influence biased attitudes and treatment toward disabled candidates in the leadership selection process. Additionally, she will assess the role of prototypicality and knowledge of systemic discrimination in the evaluation of candidates. With her research, she aims to provide a critical perspective on how meritocracy shapes biased decision-making and operates within the context of disability.
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Sa-kiera Hudson, Management of Organizations