Intercultural Training in Science and Research

Key Qualification Course

Target group:
PhD students of the Research Training Group “Agrifood Systems”;
PhD students of the five faculties of the Göttingen Graduate School of Social Science/ Göttinger Graduiertenschule Gesellschaftswissenschaften (GGG), PhD-Candidates of the Graduate School of Humanities Göttingen and members of the Schlözer-PhD-Program might participate too, if free seats will be available.

Schedule:
Two-day course with practical training in between
14.06.2011 9.30 - 17.00 h
28.06.2011 9.30 - 17.00 h

Available seats: 16
Course language: English
Requirements: good command of spoken English
Teacher: Prof. Dr. Gardenia Alonso (act international)

Seminar’s objectives:
To successfully tackle the challenges of today's multicultural academic and professional landscape also researchers have be able to facilitate difficult conversations and manage intercultural work situations and conflicts effectively. Building the capacity to mediate successfully with differing cultural perspectives is a critical component for creating and maintaining sustainable professional relationships and performance in this field.

I. Training objective: Creating awareness of different cultural and individual styles to maximise research and business operations at home and abroad. Examples of subjects: What is culture? How to deal with stereotypes? Verbal and non-verbal communication, protocol in the field of research and science.
II. Training objective: Preparation for living and working in a new country (e.g. research trips), preventing culture shock and easing the transition. Examples of subjects: Culture and how it affects business conduct, individual behavioural style assessment within cultural context, evaluation of attitude towards work, communication and motivational issues.
III. Training objective: Development of dynamic intercultural communication skills (as e.g. giving presentations) and further cultural competence to enhance relationships and work operations in science and research. Examples of subjects: Communication, negotiation, presentation skills, team building.
Designed as an interactive workshop, this training provides participants with essential cross-cultural skills for building collaborative relationships and work effectively in the field of science and research. Using hands-on exercises and simulation role-plays, participants will identify and analyze personal approaches to different intercultural situations, practice giving presentations to an international audience considering intercultural aspects, build their capacity as facilitators and problem-solvers in international research teams and increase their cross-cultural competency.

Credits: 3 Credits
Demands: complete and active participation within the training; individual short presentation + report about the training.

Application:
Application starts 15. February 2011 until 17. May 2011
Application address only: ggg.kursanmeldung@uni-goettingen.de
Contact for more information: Manuel Thiel Phone: +551 39-10952