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National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in
Higher Education
National Seminar Series 2014
Title: Promoting Intercultural Communication and Diversity in Teaching and Work Practice
Theme (refer to the themes outlined on the Forum website): Teaching for Transitions (National
/International)
Date: 8 May 2014
Host institution(s): University College Cork
Venue: G10 in the Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork
Number of participants: 30 participants
Institutions represented: School of Applied Social Studies, UCC, School of Nursing and Midwifery,
UCC; Doras Luimní (Migrant Rights NGO, Limerick), University of Limerick International Office,
Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Department of Management & Marketing,
Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Hussain Alli Said, Anti-Deportation Ireland
Contact: Claire Dorritty (Lecturer and Nursing Studies Coordinator, School of Applied Social Studies
University College Cork; Angel Flynn, School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC; Matt Cannon (Doras
Luimní / Part-time Lecturer, Communications, Department of Management and Marketing, Kemmy
Business School, University of Limerick)
Link to recording (if applicable): NA
Key insights from the day (in bullets):
The forum discussion focused on ways in which participants could improve on Intercultural
communication at an individual, group and societal level. The following outcomes were suggested:
Cultural Dimensions: Framework
Definitions: Raising awareness / Clarification around issues arising from Immigration and Integration
Language: The power of words – ensuring that teaching staff (and other service providers) have
awareness around Cultural Competence and Intercultural Communication
The Impact of Government Policy: The example of Direct Provision and the Asylum Application
system was cited. Many in the group were unaware of the conditions and circumstances around the
Asylum system and Direct Provision. This lack of awareness can lead to misconceptions around
Migrants and Immigration.
Myths, Rumours and Stereotypes: All different aspects of misunderstanding around Migrant issues
and challenges which highlight the need for further education on areas of intercultural awareness
and migrant rights for those involved in education / service delivery.
Political Will for Structural Change: A discussion developed around how much of the existing
challenges around intercultural communication are ‘structural’ (a result of existing government
policies on immigration and integration).
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in
Higher Education
A framework of what could be done at a micro, meso and macro was developed through a facilitated
session:
Macro - Societal
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Political Will – What makes political will for structural change necessary?
Political Culture – Is the current political culture aware of the needs to address Intercultural
issues – while some efforts have been made to address Intercultural issues through
Integration strategies (i.e. the Intercultural Education Strategy) more needs to be done to
address current structures around Immigration and Integration (i.e. Immigration, Residence,
Protection Bill and National Integration Strategy)
Elected Officials – Participants felt there was a lack of leadership on Intercultural issues
which had a trickle-down impact on Education and other service providers. The lack of
leadership resulted in the challenges of intercultural awareness being less of a priority.
Meso - Group
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Dialogue – An important part of capturing some of the bottom-up changes as a way to
influence policy-making and structures in the macro level.
Community Organisations were cited as key catalysts in promoting meso-level change
through Social Partnership; however, NGOs and other community led movements still
require a framework for successful translation of their experience and collective knowledge
into macro policymaking and change (i.e. Increased Migrant representation on public
bodies)
Education - Universities building Intercultural Skills into the core curriculum is a key first step
to raising awareness at a meso-level and promoting improved intercultural competence in
society through teaching and learning intercultural awareness and education as core
competency.
Micro - Individual
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Education – Individual efforts to learn more about addressing other cultures and how they
interact should feed into meso structures which allow space for this discussion in society.
Self-awareness & Understanding difference is a key component for an individual to increase
their cultural competency and be able to interact in an increasing diverse society.
The group agreed that within the context of a teaching and learning seminar that efforts to embed
Intercultural competence in Teaching and Learning was an important priority for future
development in third and fourth level education in Ireland.
Key contributions from the seminar to the broader Forum outlined theme (Max 300 words):
The seminar recognised the need for broader understanding of Intercultural Communication skills in
regard to teaching and learning.
What we plan to do in the future building on this event (Max 300 words):
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in
Higher Education
The future plan is to embed some of the learning from the seminar and
techniques into the broader curriculum. The combined learning from this
seminar will inform future efforts in University College Cork and the University of Limerick to
develop Intercultural learning modules as part of the overall teaching and learning of staff and
students.
University College Cork is planning to build on the momentum from previous seminars in teaching
and learning in order to embed some of this in the Nursing degrees. This would be a first step in
further developing a core module in Intercultural communication which could cut across disciplines.
The School of Applied Social Studies and The School of Nursing and Midwifery are currently
examining the need for intercultural training to be embedded in both School s with the intention of
promoting training for both staff and students. Modules at both undergraduate and post graduate
levels are to be developed with the potential for a university wide module to be developed for
interested staff and students attending UCC.
The University of Limerick is looking to use a similar framework for the development of Intercultural
Communication skills amongst staff through the Teaching and Learning Diploma. Furthermore a
proposal for a module on Intercultural Communication and Learning has been prepared under the
‘Broadening the Curriculum’ scheme in order to develop these skills at postgraduate and
undergraduate level. Agreement to deliver this module is currently being negotiated, and was
agreed in principle. Based on preliminary discussions at the University of Limerick, a potential fit and
inclusion of the “Cultural Diversity” module as an elective was identified within the following
programs with a view towards delivering the programme in Autumn 2015/16.
Faculty of Education and Health Sciences
LM038 BA in Psychology and Sociology (Semester 8)
LM102 BSc in Psychology (Semesters 7 or 8)
Specialist Diploma in teaching, Learning and Scholarship (either Fall or Spring semester)
Faculty of Science and Engineering
LM114 Bsc in Music, Media & Performance (Semester 6)
LM113 BSc in Digital Media Design (potentially, given the introduction of Electives)
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
LM022 BA Politics and International Relations (Semesters 7 or 8)
LM041 BA Politics and Public Administration (Semesters 7 or 8)
(Proposed new) BA in International Public Administration and Development