Zooming in on our Meeting: Mutual Respect & Inclusion in Focus

In today’s interconnected world, collaboration across cultures and countries is more common than ever. But in the rush to deliver results, how often do we truly pause to listen, really listen, to the people we work with? Behind every interaction is a set of life experiences, cultural contexts, and personal vulnerabilities that shape how we see the world. These layers are not always visible, but they carry weight.

We also work in a world shaped by histories of inequality and systemic bias. These influences continue to shape whose voices are heard and valued, how we relate to each other, how we work. In international research, where collaboration spans vast geographies, it can be especially difficult to speak openly about identity, exclusion, or discomfort. Yet, recognising and responding to these dynamics is essential to building more meaningful partnerships.

So, at our most recent DUST consortium meeting, we devoted time not only to technical updates, but also to connection and reflection. We organised a workshop focused on mutual respect and inclusion, which reaffirmed how important these values are to our collaboration and to our broader goals.

Covering the bases

The first part of the workshop explored what mutual respect and inclusion mean in an international context. We looked at the unique challenges that come with working across cultures, the importance of remaining open to learning, and how these values can become embedded in day-to-day practice.

For us, respect and inclusion are not abstract ideals. They mean actively recognising and valuing the perspectives, experiences, and talents of those we work with. This starts with curiosity and humility—a willingness to admit what we do not know and to ask questions with care and intention.

We also discussed practical ways individuals and organisations can bring these values to life:

• Commit to learning: Engage with training and resources that expose you to diverse perspectives. Reflect on whether those in leadership reflect the diversity of the wider community—and advocate for change when needed.

• Understand intersectionality: Recognise that diversity is not always visible. Pay attention to who is present, who is missing, and what conditions support authentic participation.

• Take personal responsibility: Slow down when needed. Embrace discomfort as part of the process. Ask thoughtful questions. Be open to vulnerability and let go of the need to always have the right answer. Growth comes from understanding, not certainty.

Opening up the conversation

In the second part of the workshop, we transitioned to intimate and trust-based discussions in small groups. Participants were invited to reflect on questions such as:

• What does mutual respect mean to you in the context of an international project?

• What aspects of your identity feel important to acknowledge, value, or protect?

• In what ways are mutual respect and inclusion currently supported within our multicultural consortium? In what ways could we grow?

• What aspects of this conversation are you still exploring or questioning?

These conversations were powerful. Partners shared that they appreciated the depth and openness of the dialogue, and that these topics felt not only relevant but essential. Many partners expressed strong enthusiasm about continuing this work in future meetings and about finding meaningful ways to weave mutual respect and inclusion into all aspects of our ongoing collaboration and beyond.

At its core, our vision is simple: when we engage with curiosity and openness, we build stronger partnerships. We learn more. We create space for different kinds of expertise, some of which might otherwise go unnoticed. And we generate work that reflects the full richness of the communities we aim to serve.

As DUST moves into its final phase, we look forward to seeing how these conversations shape not only our outcomes, but the way we continue to work together. The project may be wrapping up, but the mindset we are building will outlast the timeline.