Sitting With Conflict: Redefining the Goal of Dialogue
For: Higher EdVideoThis webinar provides higher ed staff ways to reframe campus conflict as normal and valuable for learning and growth.
Engaging in dialogue doesn't always lead to a kumbaya outcome — and the expectation shouldn't be that it will. Building a culture of dialogue starts with changing how everyone on campus relates to conflict and each other; this means framing conflict as both normative and an important opportunity to learn and grow.
During this webinar, we'll present recommendations for higher ed leaders to shift this cultural mindset and hear from leaders adopting new approaches to transform their campuses. From small-scale and immersive to broad and campus-wide, we'll discuss a variety of student, staff, and faculty efforts. Participants will find out about the challenges and successes leaders encounter in doing this work and build on the lessons they've learned.
Speakers
- Dr. Mildred García, AASCU President
- Mónica Guzmán, Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels and Founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity
- Dawn Osborne-Adams, University Ombuds and Director, University Ombuds Office
Resources
- American Democracy Project - (AASCU program)
- Fostering Dialogue Skills in Students - (CDI training for staff & faculty)
- I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times - (book by Mónica Guzmán)
Additional Resources
- Activities and Exercises
Hopes and Concerns
This activity allows students to reflect, write down, and share their hopes and concerns around engaging in constructive dialogue about issues of importance. - Activities and Exercises
Spotlight
This activity helps build group trust by creating a student-guided opportunity to learn new things about peers while practicing question-asking skills. - Activities and Exercises
Silent Listening With a Partner
This activity challenges students to practice listening to understand – not simply to respond— and allows them to share without fear of interruption.
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