How our interactions with people can shape their futures | Dr. Mesmin Destin | TEDxChicago

We live in a world of vast inequality, and Dr. Mesmin Destin shares a new angle on this reality to help us see how the forces that perpetuate these inequalities play out in our own life stories. His work shows the small and large ways that our everyday interactions and experiences push us on to different life paths and perhaps most importantly, what we can do about it. This talk draws from powerful experiments to capture the specific messages and moments that can inspire people to see and reach towards who they might become.

Mesmin Destin is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University in addition to a fellow of Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research. In collaboration with his lab group, Dr. Destin uses experiments and other methods to investigate factors shaping the experiences and outcomes of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. His work carries implications for institutions and the development of learning environments that recognize and leverage student strengths and identities in ways that support motivation, achievement, and well-being. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx