Welcome to this METEOR training resource!

In this module we turn our attention to intercultural competence, exploring how it can enrich the ways we work together and open space for collaboration that is more inclusive, ethical, and innovative. This involves engaging with the ability to communicate, collaborate, and lead across cultural, disciplinary, and institutional boundaries.

The module blends concept and practice. You will explore the historical development and theoretical foundations of intercultural competence, and engage with key issues such as identity, stereotyping, power relations, and systemic inequality. You will also examine established models of intercultural competence and assessment frameworks, while using reflective activities to analyse intercultural encounters, adapt communication strategies, and co-design inclusive group practices. The aim is to connect conceptual knowledge with practical tools, showing that intercultural competence is not a fixed trait but a dynamic process that develops and deepens over time. It enables collaboration, supports inclusion, and promotes equity in research and teamwork – within METEOR and beyond.

• Learning Objectives: 
  • Understand what an intercultural approach entails and why it matters in collaborative research environments, interdisciplinary teamwork, and global academic networks. 
  • Understand how personal and cultural backgrounds influence collaboration, communication, access and inclusion in academic and professional settings. 
  • Become familiar with key concepts and models of intercultural competence and their practical relevance for research, teaching, and team collaboration.
  • Recognise key approaches to assessing intercultural competence and critically consider their ethical, disciplinary, and methodological implications. 
  • Critically reflect on personal, cultural, and professional experiences.
  • Communicate effectively in intercultural settings. 
  • Design and implement inclusive strategies.