Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center

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Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center Promoting Pluralism and Academic Freedom on Campus Academic institutions have a major responsibility for preparing students and future leaders in these areas.

More than ever, the nation is in critical need of tools and capacities for engaging with differences in a productive, healthy, and civil manner. The Center seeks to foster constructive dialogue about some of society’s most contentious issues and social policies, including: race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration, social class, the environment, war and conflicts in the Middle East. Our overarching goal is to form a consortium of higher education institutions and national associations committed to the advancement of difficult dialogues teaching and learning. Ultimately, we hope to become the intellectual and operational nucleus of a national movement for difficult dialogues teaching and learning.

1. Build on national models that advance awareness and promote the practice of difficult dialogues approaches to teaching and learning.

2. Promote faculty and staff development programs that advance cultural pluralism, academic freedom, and engagement across differences, including faculty development training, advancement of research designed to assess the impact of difficult dialogues teaching and learning.

3. Engage students in opportunities that encourage the development of skills to promote civic engagement through dialogue on controversial topics and complex social issues.

4. Disseminate materials and information to a broad audience within higher education, through publications, workshops, conference presentations, institutes, and other appropriate venues.

📣 The 2027 Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center Conference Call for Proposals is OPEN!Building Hope & Resilience...
09/28/2026

📣 The 2027 Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center Conference Call for Proposals is OPEN!

Building Hope & Resilience: The Role of Dialogue in Higher Education
📅 May 24–26, 2027
📍 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

In a time of deep polarization, rapid change, and growing uncertainty, dialogue is not a luxury. It is essential.

We’re bringing together college educators, students, scholars, and campus leaders to explore how dialogue can strengthen individuals and institutions, foster belonging and well-being, build trust across differences, and cultivate democratic engagement.

We invite proposals that share research, practices, stories, tools, and experiences related to:
• Dialogue Across Differences in Polarized Times
• Dialogue, Well-Being & Healing
• Power, Voice & Inclusive Participation
• Practical Tools, Models & Research
• Sustaining Hope & Resilience for Practitioners and Communities

Whether you’re sharing a research finding, facilitating a skill-building workshop, offering a model others can adapt, or telling a story from your practice, we want to hear from you.

Submit your proposal by December 18, 2026.

Learn more and submit your proposal: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclrnX6wqoeise7OLmv8R9Nl11yAm__2fM07q1dAtqb92auoQ/viewform

We hope you’ll join us in building a conference that sparks courage, connection, hope, and resilience.

Join us this Thursday Sept 17 on Zoom3:00 - 4:30 PM ETResponding to Challenging Dialogue ScenariosIn these challenging t...
09/14/2026

Join us this Thursday Sept 17 on Zoom
3:00 - 4:30 PM ET
Responding to Challenging Dialogue Scenarios
In these challenging times, it's especially important to anticipate and prepare for difficult issues and behaviors that may arise during dialogues that we host. Please join us for an interactive session in which we highlight case studies of difficulties facilitators commonly encounter and workshop ways to respond.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kCXhM70tRPy-OPJilDMT3w #/registration

08/06/2026

Save the Date for the 2027 DDNRC National Conference: Building Hope & Resilience: The Role of Dialogue in Higher Education
May 24-26, 2027 at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The conference brings together college educators, students, scholars, and campus leaders to explore how dialogue can strengthen both individuals and institutions. Through interactive workshops, research presentations, and storytelling, participants will discover how dialogue can build trust, foster belonging, and cultivate democratic engagement.

Together, we'll deepen our capacity to create learning environments and communities where dialogue sparks courage, connection, hope, and resilience.

Join colleagues from across higher education as we explore the transformative power of dialogue and strengthen our shared commitment to building more connected, inclusive, and democratic campuses.

Learn more at https://www.difficultdialogues.org/2027-biennial-conference

Our March/April 2026 DDNRC newsletter is OUT! Follow the link below to hear from two out of three of our upcoming dialog...
04/07/2026

Our March/April 2026 DDNRC newsletter is OUT!

Follow the link below to hear from two out of three of our upcoming dialogue workshop panelists, Kathleen Wong(Lau), PhD and Adi Grabiner-Keinan, PhD as they discuss their motivations and strategies for adopting unique dialogue programs on their college campuses. Thank you to Adi and Kathy for their willingness to be featured in this special workshop sneak-peek!

Want to hear more of the conversation? Register for the DDNRC's next dialogue workshop "Three Campuses, One Conversation: Possibilities for Meaningful Dialogue" THIS THURSDAY (4/9) from 3PM-4:30PM ET. Registration is required, so click the following link to save your spot for this incredible virtual event! https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/ov-auSaTTR2MKffNUD0EFA

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/Nis2BZBQCFYXOWj5?ref=Link

There are thousands of active colleges and universities situated in the United States alone. Each of these institutions strives to foster academic excellence, career readiness, and a vibrant campus cu

Make sure to check out all the incredible things our peers at the Listen First Project are doing for next week's Nationa...
04/02/2026

Make sure to check out all the incredible things our peers at the Listen First Project are doing for next week's National Week of Conversation! On Tuesday, April 7th, they are throwing a "National Roundtable on Freedom in America" in collaboration with Living Room Conversations and AllSides. Explore their page for more information!

Looking for another way to celebrate National Week of Conversation? Join the DDNRC on Thursday, April 9th from 3:30-4PM ET for our next dialogue workshop, "Three Campuses, One Conversation: Possibilities for Meaningful Dialogue." Reserve your spot by clicking on the following link: https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/ov-auSaTTR2MKffNUD0EFA

4 days until National Week of Conversation!

It’s easy to judge a headline, but it’s much harder to judge a person once you’ve heard their story. In just four days, we’re shifting our focus from "them" to "us."

From April 6–12, join thousands of people across the country who are choosing to see the human being behind the opinion. We're rediscovering the art of being neighbors, one conversation at a time.

Are you ready to find what we have in common?
Join the movement: https://www.conversation.us/campaigns

You won't want to miss out on this fantastic dialogue workshop, happening on April 9th!Register now to save your spot! h...
03/27/2026

You won't want to miss out on this fantastic dialogue workshop, happening on April 9th!

Register now to save your spot! https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/ov-auSaTTR2MKffNUD0EFA #/registration

‼️Save your spot for the last DDNRC workshop of the 25-26' academic year‼️

Please join us for our upcoming dialogue workshop, Three Campuses One Conversation: Possibilities for Meaningful Dialogue." In this one-of-a-kind event, we will converse with three talented panelists who established renowned dialogue programs at their universities. Hailing from three unique campuses from the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, our guests will share what it takes to support higher education dialogue initiatives in your university communities.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is REQUIRED! Please reserve your spot by scanning the QR code on the flyer below or clicking the following link: https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/ov-auSaTTR2MKffNUD0EFA

‼️Save your spot for the last DDNRC workshop of the 25-26' academic year‼️Please join us for our upcoming dialogue works...
03/24/2026

‼️Save your spot for the last DDNRC workshop of the 25-26' academic year‼️

Please join us for our upcoming dialogue workshop, Three Campuses One Conversation: Possibilities for Meaningful Dialogue." In this one-of-a-kind event, we will converse with three talented panelists who established renowned dialogue programs at their universities. Hailing from three unique campuses from the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, our guests will share what it takes to support higher education dialogue initiatives in your university communities.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is REQUIRED! Please reserve your spot by scanning the QR code on the flyer below or clicking the following link: https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/ov-auSaTTR2MKffNUD0EFA

Don't forget to register for this insightful conversation!
03/18/2026

Don't forget to register for this insightful conversation!

Calling all DDNRC Members! 🗣

Join us for our next DDNRC member-exclusive Community of Practice, "Dialogue, Discussion, AND Debate" featuring DDNRC Board Member and Treasurer, Sam Anderson!

During this insightful conversation, Sam will challenge the belief that dialogue is the only communication method that can foster civic engagement. In fact, other forms of engagement, like discussion and debate, may act as strong assets that can further support dialogic pedagogies. How may these three engagement models work together to best serve our vulnerable democracy? Please come ready to discuss these points with your dialogue peers, all perspectives are welcome!

This event will take place ONE WEEK FROM TODAY on Monday, March 23rd from 3PM-4PM ET. Registration is required and limited to DDNRC members only. Please scan the QR code on the graphic below or click on the following link to secure your spot: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VrTiB-10QMy-n8WE4Tx08Q #/registration

Calling all DDNRC Members! 🗣Join us for our next DDNRC member-exclusive Community of Practice, "Dialogue, Discussion, AN...
03/16/2026

Calling all DDNRC Members! 🗣

Join us for our next DDNRC member-exclusive Community of Practice, "Dialogue, Discussion, AND Debate" featuring DDNRC Board Member and Treasurer, Sam Anderson!

During this insightful conversation, Sam will challenge the belief that dialogue is the only communication method that can foster civic engagement. In fact, other forms of engagement, like discussion and debate, may act as strong assets that can further support dialogic pedagogies. How may these three engagement models work together to best serve our vulnerable democracy? Please come ready to discuss these points with your dialogue peers, all perspectives are welcome!

This event will take place ONE WEEK FROM TODAY on Monday, March 23rd from 3PM-4PM ET. Registration is required and limited to DDNRC members only. Please scan the QR code on the graphic below or click on the following link to secure your spot: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VrTiB-10QMy-n8WE4Tx08Q #/registration

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500 South State Street, Suite 2144
Atlanta, GA
48109

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