The College of Medicine, Dubai Medical University, is pleased to share that Prof. Preetha J. Shetty, Assistant Vice Chancellor- Academic Affairs and Program Director BBMS Program, is part of the IACCP SPARK Grant 2026 project, “Voices from the Field: International Conversations on Cross-Cultural Research Practice,” representing Dubai Medical University, UAE.

The project has been selected for funding by the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) in recognition of its potential to advance awareness and understanding of cross-cultural psychology and public health research.

Through a 10-episode international podcast series, researchers from diverse regions will share their experiences and perspectives on conducting culturally responsive research across Indigenous, minoritized, and lower-resource settings.

As part of this international collaboration, Prof. Shetty will contribute a Middle Eastern perspective, highlight the unique cultural and health contexts of the region while engage with researchers from around the world to promote inclusive and culturally responsive approaches to research and healthcare.

Her participation reflects the College of Medicine’s commitment to global academic collaboration, interdisciplinary research, cultural responsiveness, and knowledge exchange, while providing a platform to amplify diverse voices in health and research.

We congratulate Prof. Preetha J. Shetty on this achievement and wish her and the international team every success in this exciting initiative.