Roman Lietz received an MA and a PhD in Intercultural Business Communication from the Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, in Germany.
He gained seven years of practical experience in Berlin (Germany) managing the – at that time – second largest project for integration assistants (Integrationslotsen) in Germany. With this practical backing, he commenced an academic career in teaching and research. He was a researcher at various universities (the Karlshochschule of Applied Sciences, the Hochschule Karlsruhe of Applied Sciences, the University of Landau, and the Johannes-Gutenberg University of Mainz/Germersheim) carrying out several applied research projects concerning questions of integration, participation and intercultural communication. The latest project is the ReDICo project (Researching Digital Interculturality Co-operatively), carried out together with Fergal Lenehan among others. The ReDICo research co-operative also retains editorship of the book series Studies in Digital Interculturality.
His list of publications includes one monograph concerned with quality assurance in integration projects (2018, in German), and three co-edited volumes on the topics of cyber-utopia/dystopia (2022, in English), language and interculturality in the digital world (2024, German and English), and about the reimagining of digital cosmopolitanism (2025, English), and more than 30 articles, research reports and newer forms of science content communication, such as an educast and a podcast.
Work for CID:
Roman Lietz wrote a guest post for the Center, The Need for a Cosmopolitan Perspective.
He also completed the German Habilitation – the formal, second PhD which allows you to officially become a Professor – at the Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena. He is also journalistically active and has written for the 
With an award-winning interdisciplinary background, Tomide examines globalization, cultural politics of taste, platformization, and political economy in postcolonial Nigerian visual cultures. His interdisciplinary works are widely published on topics such as identity, cross-cultural adaptation, embodiment, mis- and disinformation, intergroup communication, and global Black group vitality. His current research focuses on the narrative and perceptual shifts informed by the mainstreaming of African media products, specifically Afrobeats, and their implications for global Black relationalities.
Dr. Tosin Adebayo earned her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020, where her doctoral dissertation on maternal mortality among Black women won the National Communication Association Gerald Miller Dissertation Award. She also received her M.A. in Communication from Western Illinois University and a B.A. in English from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Her research interests include intercultural communication, media representation, and the role of communication in community development, with a particular focus on addressing the unique needs of marginalized populations. Ifeoma is passionate about exploring how cultural contexts influence communication practices and how intercultural dialogue can be used to promote inclusivity and social cohesion. She is also interested in the integration of media literacy and health education within intercultural settings, aiming to enhance public health communication strategies and support diverse communities.
She holds a BA in Mass Communication from the National Open University of Nigeria, and her areas of specialization include Media and Communication, Intercultural Dialogue, and Community Engagement. Her research interests span Intercultural Communication, Social Media for Social Change, Community Outreach, Cultural Representation in Media, and Advocacy for Inclusive Dialogue.
As of October 2024, Stellina has joined the Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) as an intern, collaborating with her team, “3 Connect-1 Voice,” to develop initiatives centered on intercultural dialogue. In her role at CID, Stellina focuses on creating 
At Acquaint, Alex oversees the technology powering acquaint.org, where volunteers from over 100 countries train human connection skills and engage in 1-on-1 intercultural dialogue sessions. To date, Acquaint has facilitated over 15,000 hours of dialogue, supported by AI-powered communication training courses and a suite of additional tools designed to make the practice of human connection more accessible and rewarding.
She authored the book Cultural Paradigms Across Chinese, English, and Spanish-Speaking Worlds (Edwin Mellon, 2014), and edited the book Multilingualism in Its Multiple Dimensions (forthcoming in 2024 at IntechOpen). Dr. Yang is a recipient of numerous grants and fellowships, as well as regional and national teaching awards.
Her research focuses on interpersonal communication and business communication and she uses qualitative and quantitative research methods. Her deep passion for international education evolved when she was asked to teach intercultural communication. That experience led to faculty exchanges, teaching study abroad, a Fulbright Scholar award to Uzbekistan, and grant work in Uzbekistan. She continuously seeks opportunities to blend her interests with international education and research initiatives. She received an internal International Service Award in 2023.
