Cultural Intelligence Learning Series

What is Cultural Intelligence and why is it important?

Cultural Intelligence, or CQ, is a globally recognized way of assessing and improving effectiveness in culturally diverse situations. It’s rooted in rigorous, academic research conducted across more than 100 countries.

CQ is also malleable. This means it can be enhanced and improved through a variety of learning methods. Start with an assessment to measure your CQ. Learn more about Cultural Intelligence.

Why Cultural Intelligence is Key to Creating an Inclusive Workplace

By training yourself and others to interact well with people from different cultures, you can cultivate an inclusive workplace that elevates both the employee experience and your organization’s mission. We talked with Rahn Franklin, Jr, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Bethel University, to learn more about the four dimensions of cultural intelligence and how they can help build belonging in the workplace.

Read Why Cultural Intelligence is Key to Creating an Inclusive Workplace by Jenny Hudalla.

Inspiring Cultural Awareness and Developing Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

Dr. Abeni El-Amin stresses the importance of inspiring cultural awareness and developing Cultural Intelligence (CQ) within educational institutions to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). She argues that effective teaching practices, support systems, and leadership accountability are crucial for fostering an inclusive environment, ultimately improving institutional performance and stakeholder well-being.

Read Inspiring Cultural Awareness and Developing Cultural Intelligence (CQ) by Abeni El-Amin, PhD, EdD.

The danger of a single story

Our lives and our cultures are composed of many overlapping stories. Watch Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tell the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice—and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

The STEMpathy Task Force

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are powerful levers for improving the quality of life for everyone in the United States. The connection between STEM’s transformative potential and its current impact on structural societal problems starts in the high school classroom.

Read The STEMpathy Task Force: Creating A Generation Of Culturally Competent STEM Professionals by Anjika Pai and Sophia Swartz.

A Mentor Training Intervention

Research mentoring relationships are critical to mentees’ persistence in STEM careers. Cultural identity variables (gender, race, ethnicity) influence how mentees experience mentoring relationships, including their developmental needs and expectations of mentors. Research shows that mentees from underrepresented groups in STEM often want to discuss topics related to race and ethnicity and how these factors impact their careers.

Read Enhancing Research Mentors’ Cultural Awareness in STEM: A Mentor Training Intervention by Sherilynn Black, Angela Byars-Winston, Ivan Cabrera, and Christine Pfund.