Academic Material

From Plates to Conversations: Exploring Commensality as an Inclusive Strategy for Postgraduate Curricula Samridhi Gulia, Shunyan Lyu, Smriti Gulia | School of Education, Thompson Rivers University About Authors Samridhi Gulia           Samridhi Gulia is a dedicated educator and researcher with a strong passion for literature, education, and child development. She holds a Master’s degree in English, where she explored psychoanalytic theory to analyze female leads in psychological thrillers. Now pursuing a Master of Education, she is focused on making learning more engaging, inclusive, and impactful.           A lifelong learner, Samridhi finds inspiration in books, believing in their power to transform perspectives. When words fall short, she turns to paint, using colours to express emotions and ideas. Travelling is another passion that fuels her curiosity, allowing her to explore new cultures and perspectives. Fluent in English...

From Plates to Conversations:  Exploring Commensality as an Inclusive Strategy for Postgraduate Curricula Samridhi Gulia, Shunyan Lyu, Smriti Gulia | School of Education, Thompson Rivers University Abstract           This narrative inquiry explores the role of commensality, practices with roots in Indigenous traditions, as an inclusive strategy for fostering intercultural engagement among a diverse student population. Within the M.Ed. program, commensality has emerged as an effective means of celebrating cultural diversity and promoting a sense of belonging among international students. These shared meals encourage intergroup interaction and can be particularly beneficial for international students navigating the complexities of a new academic environment.           From a sociological perspective, shared meals transcend mere physiological sustenance, functioning as social practices that address fundamental human needs f...

From Plates to Conversations: Exploring Commensality as an Inclusive Strategy for Postgraduate Curricula Samridhi Gulia, Shunyan Lyu, Smriti Gulia | School of Education, Thompson Rivers University References [1] Bailey, A. (2017). The migrant suitcase: Food, belonging and commensality among Indian migrants in The Netherlands.  Appetite, 110 , 51–60.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.12.013 [2] Fischler, C. (2011). Commensality, society and culture. Social Science Information, 50 (3-4), 528-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/0539018411413963 [3] Jönsson, H., Michaud, M., & Neuman, N. (2021). What is commensality? A critical discussion of an expanding research field. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (12), 6235.  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126235 [4] Woolley, K., & Fishbach, A. (2019). Shared plates, shared minds: Consuming from a shared plate promotes cooperation. Psychological Science, 30 (4), 541-552.  https://doi.org/1...