Transculturation and Diversity

Grasping the complexity and dynamics of social and cultural phenomena in research and teaching is a primary goal in Anthropology and Cultural Research. Transcultural processes, diversity and social inequality consequently represent key areas of focus.

Focusing on transcultural processes allows us to view culture as an intricately interwoven whole containing spill-over effects and underlying power relations. Colonial history, its continuities and contemporary forms, as well as globalization and diversification are major areas of interest. Closed and uniform representations of culture and the (mis) use of ‘culture’ for segregation and exclusion are subject to critical scrutiny.   

The topic of diversity and social inequality also includes issues of discrimination, exclusion and oppression, seen from postcolonial, gender and queer perspectives. Intersectional analyses allow us to draw attention to complex correlations and reciprocal effects of social inequality. In our research on organizational culture, for example, we explore diversity in economics, public administration and education, as well as in social and cultural spheres.  As such Diversity Studies is linked to hands-on diversity fields.  

We aim to link our research toongoing societal exchanges and make a contribution to public debate in the spirit of Public Anthropology. Weorganize a series of partnershipswith people outside of academia and develop common initiatives such as research and grassroots projects on exile, forced migration and asylum; transcultural / diversity training seminars within organizations; projects on co-existence in post-migrant societies; and on sexism, racism and anti-discrimination.

Students can also obtain complementary Certificates in Transcultural Communication and Diversity Skills.