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G’day, I’m Denielle
Educator, Author, & Communication Designer
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Hello, my name is Dr. Denielle Janine Emans and I am an
Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. I am passionate about intercultural communication, social justice, and empowering teams with visual methods. In spite of my American accent, I actually come from the “land down under,” and yes, I love Vegemite sandwiches. Those who enjoy Marmite, another version of this salty spread, might bristle to learn that I was born in England, but still proudly consider myself a global citizen.
Adding yet another country to the mix, my parents
moved to the United States in the early 1980s for an
educational opportunity at Michigan State University. Although they never expected to make East Lansing, MI, their permanent home, my parents built a thriving medical
practice in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture
in this highly international city. Beyond these formative
life events, I have been immersed in the rich intercultural experience of living and working in the Gulf Arab Region of the Middle East since 2011.
Nice to meet you!
keyboard_arrow_downCommunicate
Global Perspectives
Radical Futures
Collaborate
Create
For Social Change
Associate Professor
I specialize in the area of communication design, with an emphasis on bringing intercultural perspectives and participatory practices together to fuel creative action. I have taught at the university-level for over 15 years and encourage students to think of themselves as influential craftsmen and storytellers with the ability to lead change. I describe my own design practice as a language that works across industries in order to create engaging experiences and inclusive environments.
Doctor of Philosophy
I recently completed my Ph.D. at the University of Queensland within Australia's Centre for Communication and Social Change. As a program grounded in the social sciences, the center specializes in the study, research, and practical application of communication processes in sustainable development. My dissertation is entitled “Behind the visual: Designing for inclusive, equitable and accessible occupational
health and safety communication in Qatar.” This study explores an underlying sociological concern about the relationship
between labor migration and intercultural communication through a case study approach in Doha, Qatar.
Author
"Intercultural Collaboration by Design" introduces a framework for collaboration that uses multicultural perspectives to address pressing
global issues. Co-authored with Kelly Murdoch-Kitt and published by
Routledge, this peer-reviewed handbook helps people work, learn, and communicate across cultures. Remote teams will find a practical route to building meaningful relationships through visual thinking. With over 30 hands-on activities, the text will be of great interest to readers who want to enhance intercultural learning and co-working.
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Reach Out To Me
Email
djemans@vcu.edu
denielle.emans@gmail.com
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