Female Voices in the Third Space: Researching Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in South-North Collaborative Online International Learning/Virtual Exchange

This study aims to research the evolving field of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in Higher Education (HE) through a Global South-North research project, focusing on female voices. COIL is defined as a collaborative online teaching and learning approach with international partners that fosters intercultural dialogue. This research project will evaluate a model of South-North COIL previously co-designed by the applicants against data generated through interviews with female stakeholders based in HE institutions in four different continents. The research aims to further the understanding of digital inclusion and equality in HE. It investigates COIL as a Third Space that promotes substantive equality and supports the integration of global citizenship attributes in HE curricula. In particular it seeks to decenter the conceptualization of ‘Internationalisation of the Curriculum (IoC)’ and open up ‘otherwise’ ways of knowing, being and relating through a decolonial lens that builds on knowledge produced by women.

Investigating Collaborative Online International Learning from the female staff and student perspective

COIL adds value to the experience of women in higher education by creating a safe and EDI-compliant third space that facilitates knowledge-exchange amongst women in particular