Courageous Dialogues for Classroom, Campus and Community is an applied research project that seeks to support employees (and students) to move beyond polarization.

Instructors:

• Do political controversy, the prospect of cancellation, or general conflict-avoidance deter you from talking about everything you’d like to in the classroom?
• Do you see students shying away from potentially divisive but important discussions for fear of engaging with controversy or risking censure by their peers? 

For non-instructional employees:

• Does authentic dialogue about important topics seem like a minefield—or a pipe dream—today?
• Does it seem like fear and risk are stifling the very kinds of discussion universities were created to support?

We are currently recruiting participants for focus groups. This will involve one 90-minute group interview, which may be in person or online. We want to hear about your experiences in the classroom, workplace, or social settings, discussing (or avoiding!) divisive topics. 

Instructor Focus Group Sign-Up

Non-Instructional Employee Focus Group Sign-Up

Following the focus group (i.e., in the spring term), there will be opportunities to learn about structured frameworks, skills, and strategies for welcoming the open exchange of diverse ideas, promoting constructive disagreement, and fostering understanding across divides. This may be the PD opportunity you’ve been waiting for!