Intercultural communication, equity, diversity and inclusion training guide

This guide provides a starting point to learn about intercultural communication, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the educational setting.  For information on inclusive classrooms, check the section on "College and university - creating inclusive classrooms, curriculum, and pedagogy", for resources on anti-racism or difficult dialogues, check the sections, "Anti-racism" and  "Selected resources from Universities", for material on indigenous or decolonizing the curriculum, check the section on "Indigenous, decoloniztion"

Looking for more? The SFU Library has also partnered with The Provost's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiative to develop an EDI resource guide

For assistance with library research, please contact Moninder Lalli, moninder_lalli@sfu.ca or  Ask a librarian.

Definitions and terminology

Links below provide information on equity, diversity and human rights.

 is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large.  We curate resources that use language and analysis reflecting an understanding of systemic racism, power, and privilege and are accessible on-line and free to users. The only exceptions are the Transforming White Privilege curriculum which is behind a paywall on the RET site, and the Racial Equity Learning modules which are linked to World Trust Educational Services’ site. [from the website]

Glossary

When searching, it is helpful to think about variations in terminology. 

Intercultural

You may wish to search for these terms and their variations: collectivism, cross-cultural, cultural competence, cultural literacy, cultural sensitivity, diversity, ethnocentrism, ethno-relativism, individualism, intercultural, intercultural competence, multicultural, etc.

Diversity

You may wish to search for these terms and their variations: ability, class, disability, diversity, ethnicity, gay, gender, homosexual, lesbian, LGBT, LGBTQ, queer, race, transgender, visible minorities, etc.
 

Differences between equity and equality (NEW)

Websites with definitions

Databases for journal articles and videos

Databases below can be searched to find journal articles on intercultural communication and diversity issues. You may want to start with two databases: Education Source & PsycInfo.

Videos

Education in Video 
Streaming videos for training and developing teachers, covering teaching methods, classroom management, content areas and student assessment.

NFB.ca 
Films produced by the National Film Board of Canada (streaming online). Includes documentaries, animation and alternative dramas.  Click on the search icon, and then click on the browse list until you see "subjects" and then try subjects such as: Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism, Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Metis)

LinkedIn Learning 
In-depth step-by-step video tutorials. Try keywords such as: "cross-cultural", intercultural, diversity, or inclusion.

Intercultural communication and diversity training

This section provides guidance on finding books on intercultural communication and diversity training.

    Selected authors

    These authors have written multiple books which have influenced intercultural communication and training. Use the "Browse by author" (change the default "Title" to "Author) to find books by a particular author:

    Selected resources on intercultural communication training

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected books:

     

    Websites

     is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large.  We curate resources that use language and analysis reflecting an understanding of systemic racism, power, and privilege and are accessible on-line and free to users. The only exceptions are the Transforming White Privilege curriculum which is behind a paywall on the RET site, and the Racial Equity Learning modules which are linked to World Trust Educational Services’ site. [from the website]

    College and university -- creating inclusive classroom, curriculum and pedagogy

    Selected guides and online resources:

    Canadian Institutes for Health Research: Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada - CIHR
    National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC): Framework on Equity, Diversity and InclusionDimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada
    Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC): Gender-based analysis plus, Indigenous Research, Research Story - SSHRC-funded research calls for greater commitment to equity in higher eduction

    BC Campus. Book. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Subject headings of interest:

    Selected books:

     

    Abilities, accessibility, ableism, disabilities

    Selected guides and online resources:

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected books:

     

    Anti-racism, Black, racism, microagressions

    Selected guides and online resources:

    Under "definitions", see links for Canadian Human Rights Commission

    Canadian Heritage. Anti-racism resources, Deepening Understanding, Developing Ideas: A Cross-Country Conversation on Anti-Racism

    Statistics Canada. Aboriginal peoplesGender diversity and inclusion statistics, Immigration and ethnocultural diversitySex of person (definitions)

    Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Challenging Racist British Columbia: 150 years and counting

    Canadian Race Relations Foundation: Surveys and research (on racism, including attitudes of Canadians)

    Websites with definitions

    BC Campus. Book. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected authors:

    Selected books:

    Selected articles:

    • Eisen DB. Combating the “Too Sensitive” Argument: A Demonstration That Captures the Complexity of Microaggressions. Teaching Sociology. 2020;48(3):231-243. doi:10.1177/0092055X20930338

    Gender and sexual identity

    Selected guides and online resources:

    Under "definitions", see links for Canadian Human Rights Commission

    Government of Canada. Gender-based Analysis Plus Resources

    Statistics Canada. Gender diversity and inclusion statistics, Sex of person (definitions)

    Canadian Heritage. Anti-racism resources, Deepening Understanding, Developing Ideas: A Cross-Country Conversation on Anti-Racism

    BC Campus. Book. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

    SFU Rotunda libraries - The catalogue provides access to book collections available through Out On Campus, The Women's Centre, and SFPRIG

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected books:

    Indigenous, decolonization

    Selected guides and online resources:

    Search keywords from your topic using Catalogue SearchLimit results by using filters such as "Resource type" (of "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject."

    Below are selected subject headings of interest.  Please note that the terminology is being changed, so to be comprehensive, check the variations in terms.

    Selected books:

    International students

    Statistics Canada.  Find statistics and other publications by searching: "international students"

    BC Campus. Book. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected books:

    Identifying works by diverse and indigenous scholars 

    Identifying works by diverse scholars is a challenging task since databases and library catalogues don't tend to index for diverse identities. 

    Some approaches to identifying scholars include:

    • checking to see if professional associations have sections on diversity, EDI or indigenous scholars
    • checking for "special issues" journals and "themed" conferences
    • searching for "EDI topics" in the databases of a discipline or library catalogues
    • searching for works on "theories", such as "critical race theory", "intersectionality" or "social justice" topicsThis assumes that writers who write about such topics may be from diverse backgrounds, which may not be the case, but it may provide a "starting point" for identifying scholars.
    • searching for "social justice" scholars or associations
    • search using Google Scholar from a different country's domain (site:.) and subject terms, to find scholars from other countries
    • use "cited by" feature in Google Scholar to see who is citing works by authors that are known to be from diverse backgrounds

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Black

    Indigenous

    Science

    Google Scholar

    Search in Google Scholar (or databases) using a theory (such as  "critical race") and subject terms.  NOTE: "AND" is assumed when searching using "Google", so it it not needed when combinging different concepts.

    Experiential activities and games

    Thiagi Group ( Sivasailam Thiagarajan) - website by creator of the game, "Barnga"
    University of Southern California. The MSW@USC Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege, Icebreaker: Respect Activity

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

      Selected books:

     

    Videos on intercultural communication and EDI

    United Nations. Videos. Global Issues: Topics and Issues (Decolonization, Human Rights, Persons with Disabilities, Women, etc.)

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected resources:

    Selected journals

    K-12 intercultural communication and diversity

    British Columbia. Indigenous-Focused Graduation Requirements 
    Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Bullying
    Xwi7xwa Research Guides, UBC Library - by topic Indigenous Education K-12

    Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

    Selected books:

    Selected websites:

       

      Selected intercultural studies and diversity workshops, moocs, webinars, certificates and degrees

      This section lists a few institutions for obtaining credentials.

      Canada

      United States

      MOOCs

      Associations and organizations

      Government information

      This section suggests resources related to human rights, multiculturalism, discrimination, diversity and equity issues.

      British Columbia

      Canada

      International

      Special topics

      Selected resources from universities

      Selected resources on diversity in libraries including definitions & competencies

      Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic.  Limit the search results by "Resource type" (such as "Books" or "Audio Visual") or by "Subject", see examples, below:

      ("library science" OR librarianship) AND (anti-racis* OR diversity OR inclusi* OR equity OR aborig* OR minorit*)
        Limited by selected "Subjects"

      Selected books:

      Journal articles:

       

      Selected resources on diversity and the media

      Do a SFU Library Catalogue Search on your topic and then limit the search results by "Subject", see examples, below:

      Selected books:

      Selected websites:

       is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large.  We curate resources that use language and analysis reflecting an understanding of systemic racism, power, and privilege and are accessible on-line and free to users. The only exceptions are the Transforming White Privilege curriculum which is behind a paywall on the RET site, and the Racial Equity Learning modules which are linked to World Trust Educational Services’ site. [from the website]

       

      Inclusive and anti-racist writing