Developing Across Differences: Brain Science and Working Across Diversity

An introduction for all audiences

Do your stakeholders question the relevance and evidence behind diversity, biases, and change? This one-day course provides an introduction to the latest insights from neuroscience, intercultural communication and DEI practices.

You will understand how to confront biases and use effective change management techniques that are rooted in “hard science” — and better help those you work with do the same.

In addition to cognitive discussions about key concepts and frameworks from neuroscience, we explore real-world cases and practice interactive activities that support positive change. Whether you have a science background or not, join this workshop for new insights to use in your daily and strategic workplace interactions.

Why should you attend?

Stemming from applied neuroscience, this course provides fundamental, hands-on cutting edge knowledge and skill-building that helps you better understand how the brain works and how you can implement it in your professional life and influence those you work with.

The faculty member, Dr. Mai Nguyen, has advanced specialization in neuroscience in addition to intercultural communication in the workplace as well as classroom/campus/learning environments.

Using a “hard science” based evidence approach, this course offers an opportunity to think critically on working across diversity and intercultural communication to make personal changes for more effective communication. Additionally, the course provides activities and insights on bias management, diversity & inclusion practices, change management and intercultural communication.

Additional information

Practical information

Dates	8 July 2024
Location	Academy Building (Broerstraat 5) or Harmonie Building (Oude Kijk in Het Jatstraat 26)
Level	PhD/Postdoc/Practitioners May be appropriate for some MA students; contact the organisers for consultation about eligibility
Fees	€ 560 includes course and materials, optional evening programming
Academic coordinators	Dr. Mai Nguyen
Contact	ic rug.nl or info iddifferences.org

Requirements

Participant profile

This course is for you if you are — or are helping those who are —

● implementing or willing to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives within an organisation;

● providing training, or on-the-job professional development opportunities to help colleagues better communicate and collaborate across diversity;

● working with those who appreciate “hard science”-based evidence for making system-wide and (inter)personal change in an organisation.

Contact the organisers at ic rug.nl or info iddifferences.org if you have questions about the suitability of this course for your circumstances.

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

Level requirements

The DAD is for multipliers who help individuals, organizations and societies better recognize, appreciate and use differences as a way of better communicating, working and thriving together.

These are (in-house and external) trainers, educators, consultants, coaches, researchers, scholars, facilitators, HR staff, advanced-level (MA+) students, and professional development specialists with 5+ years of experience/study in the greater Differences field. Contact the organisers at ic rug.nl or info iddifferences.org for consultation about appropriateness and eligibility.

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

Course schedule

Sunday, 7 July
15.00-18.00 Optional networking event

Monday, 8 July
09.00-17:30

Course approach

This course will blend cognitive discussions about key concepts and frameworks with applied independent learning based on your real-world cases as well as group discussions. You will have an opportunity to consider how you might apply the knowledge and strategies gained in this course with your clients.

Learning outcomes

After this course you —and those you work with— will be able to:

● Critically appreciate neuroscience myths and realities and how the former may be erroneously incorporated into mainstream practices in the workplace and otherwise.

● Articulate the fundamentals of neuroscience, including neuroplasticity, neurogenesis and epigenetics.

● Understand cultural neuroscience connections, i.e. those between culture, cultural values, and acculturalisation with genes and brain using an interdisciplinary approach that fosters the potential of a multicultural mind.

● Apply insights from neuroscience to understand and work with biases and change management.

Workload

6 hours of in-class learning and active participation using experiential methods.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the Summer School offers a Certificate of Attendance that mentions the workload of 6 hours (28 hours corresponds to 1 ECTS). Students can apply for recognition of these credits to the relevant authorities in their home institutions, therefore the final decision on awarding credits is at the discretion of their home institutions. We will be happy to provide any necessary information that might be requested in addition to the certificate of attendance.

Application procedure

Deadline for application	Registration closes on 1 July 2024.
Date of selection	Within 72 hours following registration, you will be contacted directly by the organisers about your application.
Application	Participants submit payment and details about their interest at the link below (click the "Apply now!" button). They will be contacted directly by the organisers about their experience and the suitability of the course.

Apply now!

Please note that as all courses are subject to meeting minimum enrolments, the DAD team will confirm on or before 17 May 2024 that your course is taking place. We strongly advise you not to book non-refundable travel until you have received this confirmation. In all cases, refunds for courses are not available except in the case of course cancellation by the DAD organisers. In the case that your preferred course is cancelled, you are welcomed to enroll in an alternative course or request a refund. You will be notified on or before 17 May 2024 if the DAD course is cancelled. This policy is different from that of other University of Groningen Summer School and Language Centre courses. Full details are available on the Developing Across Differences (DAD) Learning Lab & Community Week Terms and Conditions page.

Last modified:

08 May 2024 11.51 a.m.