Unlocking the Power of Intercultural Competence: My Top 5 Must-Read Books for UX Researchers
As a digital ethnographer and UX researcher, I have developed a unique perspective on the importance of intercultural competence in today’s rapidly globalized world. Whether you’re a creative, marketer, or manager, having a deep understanding of different cultures and how they influence communication and behaviour is crucial for success.
But where do you start? There are countless workshops and courses on building intercultural competence, but the key to genuinely mastering this critical skill lies in self-reflection and self-awareness. That’s why I’ve put together a list of my top 5 unconventional books to help you improve your intercultural competence and better understand yourself and others.
- “Writing Culture” by James Clifford and George E. Marcus — This classic book raises important questions about reflexivity, objectivity, interpretation, and the politics of representation in anthropology and beyond. It may be theoretical in parts, but the insights you’ll gain from reading this publication will help you question your own biases and influences in the projects you work on.
- “On Television” by Pierre Bourdieu — Bourdieu is one of my favourite sociologists and “On Television” is a must-read for anyone in marketing. The book critiques the sensationalism of television and helps you understand the hidden influences that can shape your work and your organization.
- “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” by Erving Goffman — Goffman’s theories on face-to-face interactions and impression management are widely used in marketing and management. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to better understand the nuances of human behaviour and communication.
- “Ethnography at Work” by Brian Moeran — This engaging book by an anthropologist who worked in advertising combines academia with practical insights. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the planning and strategies involved in intercultural communication and shows how ethnography can help us better understand different cultures.
- “Practices of Looking” by Marita Sturken and Lisa Cartwright — This textbook is a fantastic introduction to visual culture and the essential social theories that underpin it. It debunks the myth that visual culture is only for creatives and offers insights into media, politics, marketing, and postmodernism.
I hope you find this list useful and I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations in the comments!
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