About Us
The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-partisan non-profit that equips individuals and institutions with the skills to communicate across differences and build cultures of constructive dialogue.
Our Story
The Constructive Dialogue Institute was founded in 2017 by Jonathan Haidt and Caroline Mehl in response to the rising division and distrust threatening to tear America apart.
As our political parties increasingly align with core aspects of our identities, Americans now see ourselves as belonging to distinct tribes, locked in a zero-sum battle for the fate of our nation's future.
Americans are living in alternative realities, where there is no longer agreement on basic facts. These trends pose an enormous threat to our institutions and democracy.
CDI exists to address this challenge.
Our Mission
CDI's mission is to equip the next generation of Americans with the skills to bridge divides.
We believe that a thriving democracy depends on people’s ability to engage with diverse perspectives, evaluate information critically, and collaborate on shared challenges. Our work helps institutions create environments where individuals can bridge divides and work together effectively—strengthening communities, workplaces, and democracy itself.
Why CDI?
CDI is the only organization in the dialogue field with evidence from randomized controlled trials proving our effectiveness. Grounded in behavioral science research, our approach is practical, scalable, and proven to drive real change.
How We Work
We take a research-based, impact-driven approach to fostering constructive dialogue:
Develop innovative educational tools grounded in behavioral science.
Evaluate our programs rigorously to measure effectiveness and refine our methods.
Advance the field through original research, elevating the importance of dialogue in society.
Who We Serve
Our tools and programs are used in hundreds of institutions across the country, including:
Higher education – Universities, colleges, and high schools
Workplaces – Corporations, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations
Civic and religious institutions – Local governments, faith communities, and more
Our Reach
Our goal is to create meaningful impact at scale by promoting constructive dialogue in schools, campuses, and workplaces across the US. To date, we've reached:
100K
Learners
570
Institutions
20
States
Our Team
We take a rigorous, science-based approach to building innovative educational tools that promote constructive dialogue.
Key Supporters
