Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center

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 Ea

st. 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.

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

Have you wanted to attend a DDNRC virtual workshop but can never make it work on your calendar? Or have you wished you c...
03/09/2026

Have you wanted to attend a DDNRC virtual workshop but can never make it work on your calendar? Or have you wished you can share something you learned during a virtual session with your own dialogue network?

Well, look no further! The DDNRC provides recordings of all of our virtual workshops for those who want to learn dialogue methods anywhere, with anyone, at any time! Visit our website for our archive of video resources: https://www.difficultdialogues.org/webinars

Don't know where to start? Check out our most recent workshop facilitated by undergraduate students from Clarkson University! This talented group discussed how incorporating dialogue in higher education curriculums can lead to better social skills and understanding of class content.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HH5X8zA-SQ

Watch as the DDNRC leads our first-ever student-led dialogue workshop featuring undergraduates from Clarkson University.Our student panelists from various fi...

02/23/2026

Please join the DDNRC for our upcoming, one-of-a-kind dialogue workshop!

The DDNRC is proud to welcome undergraduate students from Clarkson University as featured panelists for our next dialogue seminar, "Learning Through Their Experiences: Student Dialogue Across Curriculum." During this insightful program, Clarkson students from diverse disciplines will discuss the benefits of incorporating dialogue skills in course syllabi, including classes that are STEM-centric.

This free workshop will take place on Thursday, February 26th from 3PM-4:30PM ET. Registration for this event is required, so please scan the flyer's QR code or click on the following link to reserve your spot: https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/JKfWBfG-QC-v6B17tnCGIQ

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Interested in dialogue's potential in higher education? Please join the DDNRC for our upcoming, one-of-a-kind workshop, ...
02/19/2026

Interested in dialogue's potential in higher education?

Please join the DDNRC for our upcoming, one-of-a-kind workshop, "Learning Through Their Experiences: Student Dialogue Across Curriculum," next Thursday, February 26th from 3PM-4:30PM ET. During this session, we will be joined by a talented panel of undergraduate students from Clarkson University as they discuss how incorporating dialogue skills into college curriculums can increase understanding and application of course material, even in STEM-based classes.

If you are a student interested in dialogue work or a staff/faculty member that works with students and dialogue this is an event you won't want to miss! This workshop is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please click on the following link to reserve your spot: https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/JKfWBfG-QC-v6B17tnCGIQ

Please join the DDNRC for our upcoming, one-of-a-kind dialogue workshop!

The DDNRC is proud to welcome undergraduate students from Clarkson University as featured panelists for our next dialogue seminar, "Learning Through Their Experiences: Student Dialogue Across Curriculum." During this insightful program, Clarkson students from diverse disciplines will discuss the benefits of incorporating dialogue skills in course syllabi, including classes that are STEM-centric.

This free workshop will take place on Thursday, February 26th from 3PM-4:30PM ET. Registration for this event is required, so please scan the flyer's QR code or click on the following link to reserve your spot: https://umich.zoom.us/meeting/register/JKfWBfG-QC-v6B17tnCGIQ

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

‼️DDNRC Members ‼️Do not miss this exciting opportunity to connect with our current Board Chair Kelly Maxwell and a wide...
02/18/2026

‼️DDNRC Members ‼️

Do not miss this exciting opportunity to connect with our current Board Chair Kelly Maxwell and a wider network of dialogue peers! We will discuss the origins of our name and what "difficult dialogues" can mean across different pedagogies.

This session will take place TOMORROW Thursday, February 19th from 3PM-4PM ET. Event registration is required, so please reserve your spot by clicking the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SVMUod4-Tx2C30lWoTChGw

Our exclusive "communities of practice" give our members the opportunity to build connections and community with one another in a more intimate setting. Want in on this DDNRC perk? Please check out our website for our membership packages at this link: https://www.difficultdialogues.org/supportus

Calling all DDNRC members!

Please join us for our first "Community of Practice" session of 2026 featuring our Board Chair, Kelly Maxwell! This insightful discussion will take place one week from today, on Thursday, February 19th from 3PM-4PM ET! Please register by scanning the QR code on the flyer below, or by clicking this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SVMUod4-Tx2C30lWoTChGw

Kelly will unpack our organizational understanding of "difficult dialogues" and what this term entails for pluralistic engagement. We encourage participants to come with their own understanding of "difficult dialogues" and how we can adjust this definition for different pedagogic approaches.

This event is reserved for DDNRC members only! Interested in becoming a member? Please check out our membership packages by clicking the following link: https://www.difficultdialogues.org/supportus

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