Diversity Training – ‘Intercultural Competence’ in Research and Teaching (GGG) in person

Target group:
PhD students of the GGG, other PhD students if free places are available

Schedule:
13.06.2024: 09:00 - 16:30 h &
14.06.2024: 09:00 - 13:00 h

Venue: Convention Center by the Observatory, Geismar Landstraße 11, big seminar room
Available seats: 16
Target group: beginners and advanced learners
Course language: English
Trainer: Dr. Sandhya Küsters
Dr. phil. Sandhya Veena Küsters is systemic consultant (DGSv) and trainer for Intercultural Competence. Having graduated in religious studies, she is now training trainers with regard to diversity competence and inter-/transcultural receptiveness at the Institute for Diversity, Innovation and Sustainable Transfer into Praxis („Institut für Diversity, Innovation und nachhaltigen Praxistransfer“, Bochum) and working as a lecturer at the „Hochschule für Gesundheit“ (Bochum). Since 2020, Sandhya Küsters owns a leadership position at the Caritas association in Essen and is managing an institution for open work for senior citizens in the diverse „Ruhr region“. As a freelancer, she offers systemic counseling for individuals, teams and groups as well as advice in change management processes for inter-/transcultural receptiveness at the workplace. In 2022, Sandhya Küsters was jury member with a focus on diversity for the German Demography Award of a network for demography (Das Demografie Netzwerk e.V., ddn).


Seminar objectives:
The seminar aims to sensitize for categorical differentiation and stereotyping in intercultural contexts. It will promote ‘intercultural’ skills in research and teaching. You will get to know tools / theories from cultural studies as well as reflect upon your unconscious bias and experiences. By that you will increase your teaching and research quality and increase your communication skills in general. To encourage creative thinking and create authentic learning situations, we will use interactive learning methods. This will include various group activities and innovative exercises.

Session I

• As an introduction to the topic of diversity and inclusion you will be learning about unconscious bias and stereotypes.
• You will approach the concepts behind cultural diversity and diverse identities via various group activities and find out about the theoretical and practical differences between ‘intercultural competence’ and diversity awareness.
• We will explore the dimensions of ‘intercultural’ / transcultural communication with reference to your experiences as a researcher.

Session II
Depending on the preferences of the group, we will discuss ‘intercultural skills’...

• in teaching and how you can create a safe space for all students to learn. Teaching experience, however, is not required!
• with your supervisor / in dependent relationships.
• in working groups and international research mobilities.
• in presentations to the public, on conferences etc..

Requirements for participation:

• The course will be delivered in English. Therefore you should bring a basic knowledge of English so as to be able to participate in group activities and discussions. However, "perfect" English is by no means required and German translations can be offered at any time!
• The second session will build on the first, so researchers should be available for both.

Credits: 1 credit
Demands: In order to receive one credit point for active participation you need to

• attend both sessions and
• send a short written reflection (1-2 pages in word or PDF format) on lessons learnt, consequences for your work as a researcher as well as perceived benefits and limits to ggg.kursanmeldung@uni-goettingen.de no later than June 24, 2024.

Registration:
Please, send an e-mail to ggg.kursanmeldung@uni-goettingen.de
contact for further information: Dr. Nelly C. Schubert, Phone: +551 39-28219

This course is organized by the Göttingen Graduate School of Social Sciences (GGG).