EMIC Certification Program
EMIC methodology can enhance your work in conflict resolution, community development, education, healthcare, and more. In this short video, EMIC trainees discuss their experience of the professional certification program that provides powerful, evidence-based tools for understanding and transforming identity dynamics. Each EMIC certification level provides 18 hours of professional development credits and practical skills you can immediately apply in your work. Whether you're addressing polarization, building social cohesion, or fostering inclusive environments, EMIC certification offers the skills to make a meaningful difference.
EMIC Certification Program
Transform Your Practice Through Identity-Based Approaches
Program Overview
EMIC certification is a comprehensive professional qualification structured across five progressive levels. Each level builds upon the previous one, taking you from foundational understanding to mastery of the methodology:
Trainee Green
Foundation level - core concepts and principles
Trainee Blue
Applied learning - practical application in learning contexts
Trainee Gold
Independent application - project-based learning
EMIC Practitioner
Real-world implementation - supervised practice
EMIC Instructor
Mastery - independent practice and training capabilities
Why EMIC Certification?
Evidence-Based Framework
EMIC integrates established theoretical frameworks from across the human and social sciences, including anthropology, psychology, sociology, and neuroscience.
Comprehensive Toolkit
Gain access to a complete set of tools for researching, mapping, analyzing, and transforming identity dynamics in diverse contexts.
Ethical Approach
Learn to navigate complex identity issues with a robust ethical framework built into every stage of the methodology.
Versatile Application
Apply EMIC principles across sectors, from conflict transformation to healthcare, education to corporate settings.
Visual Communication
Master techniques to visualize complex identity dynamics, making them accessible and actionable for diverse stakeholders.
Extensive Resources
Access hundreds of curated academic texts and expert guest speakers who share insights and experiences.
Full Access to Atlas Cultura
Attain use of top tier user levels of the OICD's groundbreaking Atlas Cultura software for use during course projects & learning.
Program Structure and Content
Core Components
1. Research
Collecting and processing ethnographic data from various sources, including interviews, observations, and discourse analysis.
2. Mapping
Visualizing identity information and us/them positions to create comprehensive identity maps.
3. Analysis
Understanding critical logic, universal needs, and identity dynamics revealed through mapping.
4. Strategy Development
Creating ethically supported, evidence-based strategies for identity transformation.
5. Intervention Design
Developing and optimizing interventions based on EMIC insights.
6. Evaluation
Monitoring and assessing the impact of interventions.
Level-Specific Skills and Qualifications
Research
Awareness of foundational identity and cultural research methods
Mapping
Understanding of fundamentals of individual and group identity maps
Analysis
Awareness of basic identity and analysis techniques
Strategy
Understanding of basic principles of identity strategy development
Intervention
Ability to speak about multiple use cases
Evaluation
Understanding of basic principles of evaluation and ethics
Prerequisites
Successful application or OICD workshop attendance
Assessment
Multiple choice examination (75% pass rate)
Qualification
Certificate of Completion
Value
18 Hours Professional Development Credits
Research
Applied research methods in learning exercises
Mapping
Created individual and group maps in learning contexts
Analysis
Analyzed individual and group maps in learning exercises
Strategy
Developed individual and group strategies in learning contexts
Intervention
Applied interventions in learning exercises
Evaluation
Conducted evaluations in learning contexts
Prerequisites
Completed Green training or attended 3-day OICD workshop
Assessment
Multiple choice examination (85% pass rate)
Qualification
Certificate of Competency
Value
Evidenced skills & 18 Hours Professional Development Credits
Research
Conceived and executed research as part of individual project
Mapping
Independently created complex maps for a project
Analysis
Conducted independent analysis for a project
Strategy
Independently developed strategies for a project
Intervention
Designed interventions for a project
Evaluation
Independently conducted evaluations for a project
Prerequisites
Blue Certification
Assessment
Oral examination
Qualification
Practitioner-in-Training
Value
Can practice professionally under supervision + 18 Hours PD credits
Research
Contributed research to a real-world project
Mapping
Applied mapping skills in a real-world context
Analysis
Contributed to mapping analysis in a real-world project
Strategy
Applied strategic skills in a real-world context
Intervention
Contributed to real-world interventions
Evaluation
Applied evaluation skills in a real-world context
Prerequisites
Gold Certification
Assessment
2x Portfolios + Oral interview
Qualification
Licensed EMIC Practitioner
Value
Career qualification allowing independent or OICD/Partner licensed practice
Research
Can train others in research methods
Mapping
Can train others in mapping techniques
Analysis
Can train others in analysis methods
Strategy
Can train others in strategy development
Intervention
Can train others in intervention techniques
Evaluation
Can train others in evaluation methods
Prerequisites
Requires 1 year of EMIC Practitioner experience
Assessment
Observation of training. Oral interview
Qualification
EMIC Instructor
Value
Can also work as EMIC Instructor
Training Format and Schedule
Learning Environment
Flexible online learning platform. Weekly sessions.
Duration
Minimum attendence per level 12 x 90min sessions (3 months completion possible). 3-6 months recommended.
Complete Program
Possible to become a full EMIC practitioner in 12 months.
Class Size
Blue and Green levels: Up to 14 participants
Gold and above levels: Up to 7 participants.
The Theoretical Foundation of EMIC
Social Identity Theory
Exploring how group membership and social identity influence behavior and attitudes.
Identity Fusion Theory
Examining the visceral sense of oneness individuals feel with a group and its impact on behavior.
Positioning Theory
Providing tools for analyzing complex social interactions and how individuals position themselves within social contexts.
Narratology
Exploring how personal and cultural stories shape identity and behavior.
Multiple Identity Integration
Examining how individuals navigate multiple, sometimes contradictory identities.
Developmental Perspectives
Incorporating insights from lifespan identity development research.
Narrative Agency Theory
Understanding the impact of loss of narrative identity agency on behavior and its importance as a building block of peace and cohesion.
Memory Reconsolidation
Understanding how reactivated memories can be updated and transformed.
Who Should Pursue EMIC Certification?
Government & NGOs
- Community development specialists
- Policy makers and advisors
- Humanitarian workers
- Peace and security professionals
- Democracy and civil society specialists
Social Cohesion & Communities
- Community organizers
- Civil society leaders
- Intercultural dialogue facilitators
- Social cohesion program managers
- Integration specialists
Conflict, Polarization & Extremism
- Conflict resolution specialists
- Peace building practitioners
- Counter-extremism professionals
- Security sector reform experts
- Mediation and dialogue facilitators
Education, Arts & Culture
- Educators and curriculum developers
- Arts and cultural program managers
- Museum and cultural heritage professionals
- Arts-based therapeutic practitioners
- Educational policy makers
Human Rights, Equity & Health
- Healthcare professionals
- Social workers
- Human rights advocates
- Equity and inclusion specialists
- Public health program designers
Organizational Identity & Development
- HR professionals
- Organizational development consultants
- Diversity and inclusion specialists
- Team leaders and managers
- Corporate culture consultants
Real-World Applications
Healthcare
- Improving cultural competence in healthcare delivery
- Enhancing patient outcomes through better understanding of identity factors
- Developing strategies to reach underserved communities
- Training healthcare professionals in identity-aware approaches
Conflict Transformation
- Analyzing root causes of identity-based conflicts
- Designing community dialogue processes
- Supporting peace building initiatives through identity mapping
- Developing strategies to counter extremist recruitment narratives
Education
- Enhancing student engagement through identity-informed teaching methods
- Improving school culture and reducing bullying
- Developing curriculum that supports identity development
- Creating more inclusive educational environments
Social Services
- Supporting at-risk youth through identity-based interventions
- Enhancing community integration for marginalized groups
- Developing more effective outreach strategies
- Improving service delivery to diverse populations
Law Enforcement
- Collaborating on prevention strategies for identity-based extremism
- Enhancing community policing through better understanding of identity dynamics
- Developing more effective communication strategies across cultural divides
- Supporting community safety initiatives
Arts and Culture
- Developing programming that fosters cultural understanding
- Using identity mapping to inform cultural exhibitions and events
- Supporting artists in exploring identity through creative expression
- Creating spaces for cross-cultural dialogue and exchange
EMIC Certification Cost Structure
Trainee Green
Trainee Blue
Trainee Gold
EMIC Practitioner
EMIC Instructor
Organizational Packages
For organizations sending multiple staff members, discounted rates are available:
3-5 participants
10% discount
6-10 participants
15% discount
11+ participants
20% discount
What Our Participants Say
"Truly enlightening."
"Absolutely brilliant. The course provided a new lens on how to understand the individuals and groups we serve. It also outlines a strategy to leverage identity and culture material to reduce conflict."
"This training made me realize how much us and them dynamics defined me in the world around me. I'm fascinated, touched, and can't stop thinking about the approach."
"By offering methods of better understanding those who are against/in opposition of what I do in my activism, and, hard though it may be, not to simply dismiss them because they are the 'other'. It gave me the tools to think about identity in a structured and practical way. I was able to realize that the conceptual schemes I had been using were too rigid and one-dimensional. I can now name and analyze phenomena and situations with more complexity and nuance."
"I used it to have stronger ideas and more clear knowledge around identity and conflict resolution. I think I had the methodological part more clear, but not the conceptual area. Made our approach to incorporating identity factors in our (social work) clients far more intentional."