The OICD INSTITUTE
Create positive change using the power of identity and culture
A Learning Community for Change-Agents
The Institute Courses
Helping Children to Become 'Identity Literate'
A course for teachers to gain an understanding of how identity works as a psychological and social system in children and in adults. By quipping the child with the understanding of how their own identities function in everyday interactions, “identity literacy” can be raised, increasing resilience and self-actualization as a result.
Repairing Divisions of Identity
A course for anyone interested in understanding and countering divisions of "us" and "them". This course provides participants with the ability to see how identity is used to create division, and the frameworks and tools necessary to counter that division across a range of contexts. This is the OICD's flagship foundation course providing tools perspectives that can be immediately put to use in the real-world across many sectors and professions.
Identity, Diversity and Inclusion
Designed for individual employees and managers, small and medium teams and large workforces, this course is designed to take the participant beyond developing "tolerance" of cultural differences to a genuine understanding of what makes people the same and different. Using this focus on the true "nature of human diversity", the course brings awareness to what it means to build genuine inclusion within the workplace and beyond.
A Learning Lab
Explore a wide variety of theories and methods that help shed light on how identity functions and how it can be used to create both division and cohesion. Academic reading summaries, audio files, quizzes, case studies and other activities are hosted at the Institute.
Cohort-Based Training
Learn online with a community of peers. Discuss with others as you dive deep into how identity functions across a range of contexts. Learn how to put your knowledge to work in your own context through guided project activities and live support sessions.
Community Forum
With a community forum for open discussion of learning, events and courses, the Institute sets out to become a place where a community of like-minded practitioners interact. Guest lectures and public events which encourage audience interaction are hosted here.
Gain Key Perspectives
Learn the essential concepts that unlock an understanding of identity and culture. Gain perspectives that will reveal ways in which identities can be put to work to either promote divisions or to fight and overcome them. Learn through article summaries and mini-modules with quizzes and online discussion.
Master Key Techniques
Introducing practical skills that you can use to create positive change. Understand how to gather identity-related information and build effective strategies and interventions to counter division and promote cohesion.
Access Special Content
Taking the most relevant findings from anthropology, neuroscience, psychology, performance, media studies and other subjects, expose yourself to a world of knowledge relevant to your work.
Full Educational Content 2021
Here's a break-down of the full OICD Institute educational and training content coming throughout 2021.
- Accessible online interactive and self-guided training - Easy to follow audio, video and text-based training
- Supporting articles and materials - Go deeper by reading more
- Online forum for guided support - Ask our experts and the community when you're unsure
- Practical research methods training - Equip yourself with the skills to discover the roots of the problem
- Practical research analysis tools - Learn how to manage your findings and go to the next step
- Practical strategy building guide - Design actual real world strategies rooted in an understanding of identity and culture
- Public engagement sessions with key academics and practitioners in relevant fields
- Media and reference libraries
Identity is a core issue for peacebuilding work, but also a very complex one. What I found interesting and relevant about the OICD's approach is the way it combines a high level conceptual model with practical application.
Phil Vernon, former Director of Programmes International Alert, London, UK (2004-2017)
With an interest in conflict prevention and resolution, I was looking for an opportunity to apply my academic knowledge to real-world projects. The interdisciplinary approach and unique methodology of conflict management that OICD applies is unparalleled.
Dr. Aliya Tskhay, Research Associate University of St. Andrews
The OICD Institute Hosts Open-Access Material
Create a free OICD Institute account to gain open access to a variety of educational materials in the Learning Lab.