The Institute for Intercultural Communication (IIC) is a cross-faculty and interdisciplinary research and consultancy institute at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. It pursues the goal of analysing intercultural problems scientifically and developing innovative and applicable approaches. The institute promotes an intensive exchange between practice and research as well as teaching in the context of interculturality.
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Institute goals and focal points
The specific objectives of the IIC are teaching, learning and research activities to develop and optimise (inter)cultural sensitivity and competence at Aschaffenburg UAS and in internationally active companies and institutions. A particular focus of the institute's research activities is the examination of the role of interculturality in the following areas:
- Cultural and communication studies
- Linguistics
- Service sector (especially in the fields of tourism, hospitality, wellness and health)
- Business administration, law and engineering
- Business psychology
- Internationalisation
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International networking and events
The Language Centre of Aschaffenburg UAS, which is closely linked to the IIC, regularly organises an International Language Week. The IIC also hosted the annual conference of the Society for Key Competences in November 2022.
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Metaphor “Bridge between Continents and Cultures”
The “Bridge between Continents and Cultures” in the west of the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes spans the rift between the Eurasian and North American continental plates (= Miðlina). The IIC also sees itself as a link between continents and cultures.
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Prof. Dr. Renate Link
Business Languages Intercult. Competence Internationalisation
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Prof. Dr. Sylvana Krauße
- English (ESP)
- Intercult. Communication
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Prof. Dr. Alexandra Angress
- Internationalisation
- Department Coordinator
- Working Across Cultures
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Prof. Dr. Pei Wang-Nastansky
- Intern. (HR) Management
- Consumer Behav. in Asia
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Prof. Dr. Alison McNamara
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Marcel Rother
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Prof. Dr. Sylvia Kaiser
- Language and Communication Skills
- Professional German
- Technical English
- Birgit Kraus (cooperative doctoral student with Prof. Dr. Link)
- Angela Warkentin (cooperative doctoral student with Prof. Dr. Link)
- Zhenan Li (cooperative doctoral student with Prof. Dr. Link)
- Mirian Seitz (cooperative doctoral student with Prof. Dr. Link)
- Nina Heininger (cooperative doctoral student with Prof. Dr. Link)
- Marwa Rahman (cooperative doctoral student with Prof. Dr. Link)
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The "bridge between the continents" in the west of the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes spans the rift between the Eurasian and North American continental plates (= Miðlina). The IIC also sees itself as a link between continents and cultures.
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The founding members of the Institute for Intercultural Communications from left to right: Prof. Dr. Wang-Nastansky, Prof. Dr. Krauße, Prof. Dr. Link, Prof. Dr. Kaiser, Prof. Dr. Angress.
The IIC is a regular co-host and organiser for national and international conferences. The upcoming conferences and past events can be found below.
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A new level for the Bridge of Knowledge App was created by the students of the Masters degree programme. Test the app and take the quiz
Students from the Masters programme in International Management created a new level for the Bridge of Knowledge VR quiz app in the 2024 summer semester. The app includes questions on general academic knowledge, with players progressing on a virtual bridge if they answer correctly. The new level “Intercultural basics” contains 70 multiple-choice questions that were developed in multicultural teams. This app was developed under the direction of Prof. Dr. Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer (TU Chemnitz, formerly LMU Munich). Prof. Dr. Renate Link and Prof. Sanchez-Stockhammer supported the students in creating questions. The app is available free of charge in the Google Play Store and App Store and can also be used without VR glasses.
The Institute for Intercultural Communication offers doctoral candidates interesting topics related to (inter)cultural sensitivity and competence. The iDok doctoral programme at Aschaffenburg UAS supports and advises doctoral candidates from the planning of the doctoral project to the publication of the dissertation.
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Ongoing dissertations
Name Title Co-operative university Heininger, Nina ChatGPT in the higher education context. Applications in foreign language teaching with a focus on German as a foreign language University of Bayreuth Kraus, Birgit Acquisition of language(s) and intercultural competence at the learning location 'foreign university' - quality assurance and quality development TU Darmstadt Li, Zhenan Qualification concept for company training staff in China FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg Rahman, Marwa
Learning capsules in project management (based on the ERASMUS+ project STEPS4EU)
FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg Seitz, Mirian Development of students' intercultural learning in the course of a study abroad programme University of Kassel Warkentin, Angela Intercultural leadership communication - how female managers communicate effectively in an intercultural working environment TU Darmstadt
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What services does the Institute for Intercultural Communication offer?
The IIC offers counselling and expert opinions on intercultural issues. If you are interested, please contact the head of the institute, Prof. Dr. Link.
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How can I work at the IIC during my studies?
There are opportunities to actively participate in the institute even while you are still a student. You can contribute to the IIC through project-related work as a student assistant. Please refer to the current job advertisements in the JOBportal.
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Can I write my Bachelor's, Master's or doctoral thesis at the Institute?
If you would like to write your thesis in German or English in the field of Intercultural Communication or would like to do your doctorate in this subject area, please contact the professors of the IIC any time.
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Director of the IIC
Prof. Dr. Renate Link
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Würzburger Straße 45
Room C1/41/007
63743 Aschaffenburg - renate.link(at)th-ab.de
- + 49 60 21 4206 - 952
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Würzburger Straße 45
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Deputy Director of the IIC
Prof. Dr. Sylvana Krauße
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Würzburger Straße 45
Room C1/24/208
63743 Aschaffenburg - sylvana.krausse(at)th-ab.de
- + 49 60 21 4206 - 908
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Würzburger Straße 45