Designing and Evaluating Digital Platforms for Interfaith Cultural Dialogue

Thesis Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected world characterized by religious pluralism and intercultural interactions, digital platforms have emerged as vital tools for fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting cultural understanding. However, despite the proliferation of such platforms, there remains a limited understanding of how their design influences user engagement, dialogue quality, and intercultural outcomes. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a digital platform tailored for interfaith cultural dialogue, addressing the need for effective online spaces that facilitate meaningful exchanges between diverse faith communities. The specific objectives include examining user perceptions of platform usability and cultural sensitivity, assessing the impact of platform features on dialogue engagement, and evaluating the extent to which the platform fosters intercultural understanding and tolerance. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather comprehensive insights. The research population comprises active users from three major faith communities—Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism—in a metropolitan area with diverse religious demographics, totaling approximately 1,200 individuals. A purposive sampling technique is used to select 300 participants (100 from each faith group) for survey administration, alongside 20 in-depth interviewees (selected via stratified sampling). Data collection instruments include a structured online questionnaire measuring perceived usability, cultural sensitivity, and dialogue satisfaction, as well as semi-structured interview guides exploring user experiences and suggestions for platform improvement. The questionnaire’s validity and reliability are established through Cronbach’s alpha with a threshold of 0.80, and pilot testing with 30 participants prior to main data collection. Quantitative data are analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to identify relationships between platform features and intercultural dialogue outcomes. Thematic analysis is employed for qualitative interview data to extract common themes concerning user experiences and perceptions of intercultural engagement. The study adopts Transformational Leadership Theory and the Contact Hypothesis as theoretical frameworks to analyze how platform design can catalyze positive intercultural interactions and reduce prejudicial attitudes. Expected findings indicate that platform usability and culturally sensitive interface design significantly predict user engagement and dialogue quality, with high levels of perceived intercultural understanding reported among active users. It is anticipated that features such as real-time chat, moderated discussion forums, and cultural exchange modules notably enhance dialogue authenticity and community bonds. The research also hypothesizes that platform participation correlates with increased tolerance and reduced stereotypes, as measured by pre- and post-interaction attitude scales. This study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the critical role of technological design in promoting intercultural dialogue and social cohesion among religious communities. It advances theoretical understanding by integrating the Contact Hypothesis within a digital context and demonstrating how digital architecture influences intercultural perceptions. Practically, the research offers actionable recommendations for designers and policymakers to develop inclusive digital spaces that support sustainable interfaith engagement. The main conclusion underscores the importance of culturally sensitive interface features and moderation mechanisms in fostering meaningful interfaith exchanges online. The study recommends integrating user-centered design principles and intercultural training modules into platform development, as well as establishing ongoing evaluation frameworks to measure dialogue efficacy. Future research avenues include longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts of digital interfaith platforms and comparative analyses across different cultural settings. Ultimately, this research advances the goal of leveraging digital technology as a bridge for peacebuilding and intercultural understanding in diverse societies.