Foundations in Constructive Dialogue
A Workshop for Faculty and Campus Staff
Foundations in Constructive Dialogue is a five-hour, highly interactive professional development workshop that equips faculty and staff with the skills to foster cultures of inquiry, dialogue, and free expression in classrooms and across campus.
Grounded in behavioral science research and CDI’s evidence-based framework, this workshop helps participants proactively build trust, strengthen engagement, and navigate disagreement constructively. Rather than reacting to moments of tension, faculty and staff learn how to prepare their communities for dialogue and respond with clarity and confidence when difficult conversations arise.
Participants leave with practical tools they can apply immediately in teaching, advising, and leadership contexts.
An evidence-based professional development experience grounded in behavioral science
Part of CDI’s comprehensive, scalable model for campus culture change
Structured for immediate application in classrooms, advising, and co-curricular settings
Workshop Format
Foundations in Constructive Dialogue is offered as an interactive professional development workshop for faculty and staff.
- Length: 5 hours; session runs from 11AM - 4PM ET
- Format: Live, in person, or virtual options
- Delivery: Offered as a private campus workshop or through a public virtual cohort
The workshop combines research insights, structured dialogue practice, and applied facilitation techniques.
You Should Attend This Workshop if You Are
- Faculty seeking to strengthen classroom dialogue and engagement
- Student-facing staff navigating conflict among students
- Centers for Teaching & Learning integrating dialogue into pedagogy
- Institutions beginning or advancing a broader campus culture change strategy
Concepts Covered
Building trust and openness through intentional opening practices that help participants feel comfortable engaging.
Common Use Cases
- Following campus tensions or controversial events
- As part of a campus-wide initiative on dialogue and free expression
- Professional development for new faculty or advisors
- Preparing departments to integrate dialogue into curriculum
- Building shared language before launching broader institutional change efforts
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Understand the core skills and mindsets of constructive dialogue
- Build classroom and campus environments that support inquiry and respectful disagreement
- Facilitate conversations across differences with greater confidence
- Apply structured tools to manage tense or controversial situations constructively
I liked how the overall content delivery was structured into key components. This helped me to organize my thoughts about how to better prepare for and facilitate class discussions.
I LOVED the expertise that was brought and the content of this program. Very clear and filled with deep and well-researched foundations.
The breakout conversations allowed me to practice what I hope my students will attempt. This gave me insight into possible pain points to watch for and prepare for to better serve my students.
I liked how the overall content delivery was structured into key components. This helped me to organize my thoughts about how to better prepare for and facilitate class discussions.
I LOVED the expertise that was brought and the content of this program. Very clear and filled with deep and well-researched foundations.
The breakout conversations allowed me to practice what I hope my students will attempt. This gave me insight into possible pain points to watch for and prepare for to better serve my students.
