The Intercultural Inquiry in Psychology (ICI) Lab at the University of Prince Edward Island conducts clinical and intercultural psychological research focused on how culture and social context shape identity, belonging, mental health, psychological intervention, and processes of change.
Directed by Dr. Raquel Hoersting, the ICI Lab brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and research collaborators with interests spanning cross-cultural and clinical psychology. Our work is particularly interested in understanding psychological processes across cultures and communities and in developing approaches to research, clinical practice, and training that are responsive to the people and contexts in which they occur.
Our Research
Our work falls broadly within three interconnected areas:
Culture, Identity & Belonging
We examine how people understand themselves and experience belonging while navigating different cultural, social, and geographic contexts. Our research has explored migration and acculturation, cultural identity, cultural homelessness, international students and immigrants, return migration, collective identity and well-being, and experiences of islandness and belonging in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Current and recent projects have examined the experiences of international students and graduates in PEI, Chinese immigrants to PEI, identity within diaspora communities, cultural identity across generations, and the experiences of people adapting to new cultural environments.
Trauma, Intervention & Creative Processes
Our clinical research explores trauma, culturally responsive psychological intervention, and the use of expressive and creative processes to facilitate psychological change.
This work includes research related to EMDR therapy, resource development and stabilization, creative and expressive arts-based interventions, trauma and identity, and the adaptation of psychological interventions across cultural contexts. We are particularly interested in how interventions can draw upon people’s existing cultural, relational, and personal resources rather than assuming that psychological approaches function identically across populations.
Clinical Training & Supervision
A growing area of the Lab’s research examines how psychologists and other mental health professionals learn, develop, and work across cultural differences.
Our research considers clinical supervision, culturally responsive and culturally congruent supervision, professional development, and the training of psychologists to work effectively with diverse communities. We are particularly interested in how culture, identity, power, belonging, feedback, and the supervisory relationship influence clinical learning and professional development.
Research in the ICI Lab
Research in the ICI Lab takes place at many levels. Projects include faculty-led research, PsyD dissertations, Master’s and Honours theses, collaborative research with colleagues in Canada and internationally, and smaller student research projects.
Our collaborative work has involved researchers and communities in Canada, Brazil, other Latin American countries, Ethiopia, and other international contexts.
Interested in Working With us?
The ICI Lab provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to become involved in research in different capacities. Opportunities vary from year to year and may include Honours theses, graduate research and supervision, research assistantships, and participation in shorter-term research projects.
Prospective students are encouraged to explore our Research and People pages to learn more about current projects and the work of our students and collaborators.
Please note: Dr. Hoersting is not accepting undergraduate Honours thesis students for the 2026–2027 academic year. Undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience through other projects are welcome to inquire about potential opportunities.