Watching foreign films, TV shows, and reading books from other cultures is a way to train, expand and broaden our cultural intelligence. Some years ago, I found myself reflecting on the transformative power of foreign narratives. Having spent much of my life traveling, living, and studying in diverse countries, I’ve always been drawn to the rich tapestry of human culture. My career, particularly my work with immigrants, refugees, and expats, has deepened this connection.

Years down the track, I came to realise that my time with the Reggio Emilia method taught me that teaching, when lived fully, is not about control but about culture: a living dialogue between people, ideas, creation, and place. In the Reggio Emilia method, a classroom is called an atelier, meaning a “studio of becoming.” That phrase stayed with me long after I left Italy. Ideally, this is how an auditorium should feel in higher education.

For me, experiencing the Reggio Emilia institutions in Italy was extraordinary, and it left a deep mark on my educational philosophy moving forward. It revealed that education is not only about transferring knowledge; it is about shaping belonging, identity, and connection. These schools embodied the idea that creativity is not a luxury. It is how communities rebuild. It is how learners find their voice, and how societies imagine and build their future.

Ancient Malta’s Hypogeum reveals how Neolithic societies engineered the brain for learning, empathy, and long-term thinking. Combining archaeology, neuroscience, and cultural history, Louise Sommer explores how past reward systems shaped human potential — and what we can learn to design better education, leadership, and social systems today. A thought-provoking read for researchers, educators, and innovators.

I still remember the moment clearly. In front of me sat backpackers from France and South America in their twenties, published authors and successful artists from across Australia, emerging entrepreneurs, and three very senior researchers who wanted to learn how to communicate their expertise beyond academia. I realised something important: The workshop I had carefully prepared could not simply be delivered to this group. It had to be created with them.

How Culture Shapes Communication in Higher Education Teaching. Explore how culture shapes communication in higher education and transforms university teaching. This article helps university lecturers understand how communication influences student engagement, belonging, and learning outcomes. Discover how creativity, cultural awareness, and pedagogical communication come together to support more meaningful, human-centred teaching practices in diverse and evolving university c

Stories are the threads that weave the fabric of our identities. They shape our understanding of the world, our place within it, and ...