Accent bias training – The Accentism Project

Corporate Accent Bias Training

At The Accentism Project, we offer accent bias training for all types of organisations, small or large, online and in-person. Led by leading sociolinguists Professor Rob Drummond and Dr Amanda Cole, our research-informed training explores how accent bias can be a hidden barrier to inclusion, recruitment, and professional growth.

Why Accent Bias Training Matters

Accent bias is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Because the way we speak is inextricably linked to our identity, it frequently acts as a proxy for biases related to class, ethnicity, and regional origin.

By addressing these biases, we help your organisation:

Enhance Recruitment: Hire the best talent, not just the people who sound “right.”
Strengthen Relationships: Improve internal collaboration and stakeholder interactions.
Mitigate Risk: Understand how accent interacts with employment law.
Foster Belonging: Create a culture where employees feel valued for their expertise.

What we Cover

Our evidence-based sessions translate cutting-edge research into practical workplace insights, addressing topics such as:

Defining Accent: What is an accent, and why do we have them?
Perceptions & Attitudes: How do we feel about different accents, and why?
Linguistic Hierarchies: Understanding the perceived hierarchy of accents in the UK.
Self-Reflection: Examining our own deep-seated perceptions and attitudes.
Contextual Prejudice: How accent bias manifests in professional environments.
Practical Solutions: Tangible steps to dismantle accent prejudice.

Our Expert Sessions

90-Minute Interactive Workshop

An in-depth, in-person session designed for maximum engagement.

60-Minute Focused Seminar

A streamlined online session perfect for remote or global teams.

What Our Clients Say

“At LinkedIn, we strive to empower our colleagues to learn and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Your training was another important step toward understanding our biases. We look forward to further collaborations in the future.”
— LinkedIn

“Amanda and Rob were incredibly knowledgeable, making the session both engaging and enlightening for all attendees. They did an excellent job in getting us to think more deeply about accent bias and other biases. We feel confident that our people will be able to bring this insight into their day-to-day work with colleagues and clients. These sessions have been an important component of our broader D&I strategy.”
— A leading UK Law firm

“This was one of the best sessions I participated in!.”
— Workshop Participant

“It was really interesting and eye-opening.”
— Workshop Participant

“My best takeaway: Everyone has an accent and there is no inherently right nor wrong accent! I loved how the speaker emphasised this over and over again.”
— Workshop Participant

training@accentism.org