Diversity and Intercultural Communication Professional Development
Introduction
One of Murdoch University's strategic goals is "to provide quality contemporary education which empowers the students
of today to live and work in the world of tomorrow" (University Strategic Plan 2003 — 2007 p. 5). Diversity is
the main character of students of today and the work of tomorrow requires staff with skills to work in a world of diversity.
To teach this cohort of students and to prepare them to adequately work in the world of tomorrow, professional development
support should be available to support staff to teach with diversity.
Diversity and Intercultural Communication Professional Development Framework for Academic Staff is guided by organizational
strategic directions embedded in:
- The University's strategic themes of equity and social justice;
- Goals stipulated in the Educational Plan 2003 — 2007;
- The TLC's Operational Plan 2003 — 2007.
A range of workshops and information sessions that cover various stages of diversity and intercultural communication skills
will be offered to all academic staff. It is anticipated that the workshops will assist participants to pass through the
developmental stages of diversity learning moving from being aware of cultural diversity to achieving effective intercultural
communication. The sessions will cover various dimensions and intersectionalities of diversity including diversity areas
of sexuality and disability. Some of the sessions to be covered in this range are provided below. Diversity is an ongoing
matter and dimensions change over time, therefore, the proposed Diversity and Intercultural Communication Professional Development
will be ongoing and continue to be developed as required.
Note: All Workshops will be advertised as part of the Academic Work Matters series of staff development seminars located
at:
http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/asd/docs/workmatters.html
Workshop 1: Introduction to Diversity
The workshop is designed to raise awareness of cultural diversity through personal reflection and discussions on student
diversity. It will cover the main aspects of the diversity agenda which include identity, inclusion, performance and achievement.
Participants will have an opportunity to engage in a minds-on activity to develop a diversity audit checklist which is a
useful tool for ongoing self-appraisal in teaching with diversity.
The session is open to all academic staff and general staff working with students.
Session will only run with a minimum of six participants. Maximum number of participants for each session is 20.
Aims
- To raise awareness of diversity and develop understanding of collective identity, stereotypes and prejudice
- To introduce a diversity audit checklist and encourage ongoing self appraisal in teaching for diversity
Outcomes
- Be more aware of student diversity
- Enhance understanding on dimensions of diversity
- Be sensitive to specific dimensions of cultural diversity linked to student inclusion in teaching
- Be aware of the components of the diversity audit checklist necessary for self-appraisal in inclussivity in teaching
Workshop 2: Inclusivity in Teaching and Learning: Working with Students with Disabilities
Looking Forward: Reasonable Accommodations for students with disabilities what are our obligations?
Since 2000 Murdoch University has been this states leader in per capita access rates for students with a disability. While
this is an exemplary outcome it is imperative that our organisation supports access with effective participation post enrolment.
Student Equity is running a series of interactive workshops for academic and general staff to find out more about:
The Legal Framework how are we guided by such things as
- Unjustifiable hardship/Reasonable accommodation
- Inherent requirements
- Student consultation
Our new Disability Access Plan our strategies for success and specific tools to assist the university.
- Why the Need? (Statistics)
- What is the Need? (Disability)
These sessions are designed to help you find out about Murdoch's obligations regarding students with a disability as well
as some of the strategies and partnerships developed to ensure that Murdoch continues to provide effective tertiary support.
Workshop 3: Diversity and Effective Intercultural Communication: Decoding Cultural Barriers
The training works on identifying dimensions of cultural diversity and developing effective intercultural communication.
It is designed to stimulate thinking on cultural barriers and build skills for active interculturality.
Aims
- To explore ways to build inter-cultural competence necessary for working effectively with a diverse student body
- To explore personal and organizational culture
- To share experiences of diversity issues in the classroom and how to deal with them
- To develop strategies for achieving intercultural competence
Outcomes
- Provide staff with opportunity to discuss intercultural issues that may arise in teaching students from diverse backgrounds
- Begin to reflect on cultural barriers that hinder effective interculturality
- Begin to recognise cultural differences and appreciate their role in creating barriers
- Be aware of diversity values that enhance effective intercultural communication
- Recognise stereotypes
The session is open to all academic staff and general staff working with students.
Session will only run with a minimum of six participants. Maximum number of participants for each session is 20.
Workshop 4: Customised Intercultural Communication Workshop for Academic Staff Teaching Offshore
Teaching offshore brings challenges in dealing with different cultures and communication styles which can lead to cultural
collision. To respond to staff needs, the Intercultural Communication workshop provides training and discussion opportunities
for academic staff teaching offshore as required. Experts from various cultural backgrounds will be invited to provide cultural
knowledge on culturally specific matters that may contribute to intercultural effectiveness.
Aims
- To develop an understanding of cultural collision
- To develop strategies for effective teaching in offshore classrooms
- To provide staff with an opportunity to explore and discuss specific cultural issues that may hinder effective communication
- Provide staff with better understanding of cultural issues relevant to the community they are working with or anticipating
to be working with
Outcomes
- Enhance understanding of dimensions of diversity
- Begin to be sensitive to specific dimensions of cultural diversity linked to communication style and reduce misunderstandings
- Prepare staff by providing them with intercultural competence skills required in working with diversity
- Understand the cultural values, styles of communication and working practices that could clash with your own
The session is open to all academic staff teaching offshore.
Session will only run with a minimum of six participants. Maximum number of participants for each session is 20.
Workshop 5: Country Briefing Sessions
Country briefing sessions will complement the Customized Intercultural Communication Workshops and will be conducted for
staff who will be interacting with people from other regions. Inter- Cultural Competence includes a set of skills and attitudes
that allow individuals to effectively and appropriately communicate with people who are different from themselves. This session
will explore issues such as:
- Protocols
- Communication — verbal and non verbal
- Hospitality
- Dress code
- Gift giving
- Names and Naming Systems
- Family and extended family
Aims
- To provide staff with an opportunity to explore and discuss specific cultural issues that may hinder effective communication
- Provide staff with better understanding of cultural issues relevant to the community they are working with or anticipating
to be working with
Outcomes
- Begin to be sensitive to specific dimensions of cultural diversity linked to protocols, communication style, dress
code etc. and reduce misunderstandings
- Prepare staff by providing them with intercultural competence skills required in working with diversity
- Understand the cultural values, styles of communication and social practices that could clash with your own
The session is open to all academic staff teaching offshore.
Session will only run with a minimum of six participants. Maximum number of participants for each session is 20.
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