The groundbreaking Learning at Intercultural Intersections: International Research Conference kicks off today at TRU.

The conference, which runs in the Campus Activity Centre through March 13, brings together scholars in the field of intercultural learning, and has drawn renowned researchers and presenters from as far away as South Africa, Brazil and the Netherlands.

See complete schedule

“All of our students are going to be graduating into increasingly multicultural society and globalized realities, so how do we provide them with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be engaged and informed citizens and professionals,” asked Dr. Kyra Garson of the Centre for Student Engagement and Learning Innovation. Garson is one of the organizers of the conference, and is joined by Dr. Carol Rees and Dr. Gloria Ramirez from the Faculty of Human, Social and Educational Development.

Keynote speakers for the event include TRU’s own Dr. Airini, who will speak to her research in equity in higher education, particularly for indigenous and under-served students. Also scheduled as a keynote speaker is Dr. Darla Deardorff from Duke University, whose research focuses on intercultural competence and international education assessment. Finally, Dr. David Geoffrey Smith from the University of Alberta will speak on his research, which extends the study of pedagogy to the creation of a form of cultural mediation.

The conference is supported by a $25,000 grant from the Thompson Rivers University International Research Conference Fund, as well as funding from the British Columbia Council for International Education and the Canadian Bureau for International Education.