Teaching in An Age of Contested Facts is a 2-hour workshop that equips faculty with practical, evidence-based strategies for navigating controversial claims from students in and out of the classroom. Through interactive exercises and real-world scenarios, participants strengthen their ability to respond to contested facts while sustaining academic rigor in polarized environments.
The workshop introduces the FACT approach, helping instructors respond to misinformation and uncertainty with practical language and techniques that foster trust, intellectual humility, and meaningful dialogue.
A faculty-focused pedagogy workshop
Structured for immediate classroom application
Grounded in behavioral science and research
Workshop Format
Teaching in An Age of Contested Facts is offered as an interactive professional development workshop for faculty.
- Length: 2 hours
- Format: Live, in person, or virtual options
- Delivery: Delivered in person as part of a half-day workshop or virtually as a 2 hour workshop
The workshop combines research insights, structured dialogue practice, and applied facilitation techniques.
You Should Attend This Workshop if You Are
- Faculty teaching controversial or current-events topics
- A Center for Teaching & Learning
- An academic department chair
- A graduate instructor and teaching fellow
Concepts Covered
Understand how prior beliefs and emotions shape how information is interpreted—and why people often defend existing views rather than revise them.
Common Use Cases
- Following high-profile misinformation controversies
- Integrating dialogue into faculty development programs
- Addressing classroom tensions around contested facts
- Supporting faculty navigating polarized classroom discussions
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Distinguish between disagreement rooted in values and disagreement rooted in contested information
- Apply structured strategies for responding to misinformation in real time
- Reinforce inquiry and free expression while maintaining academic rigor
- Facilitate discussions about contested topics without escalating polarization
- Model intellectual humility and evidence-based reasoning
The program was excellent, and the facilitators were top notch. This is the best training program I have experienced, both in substance and process.
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 LOVED the expertise that was brought and the content of this program. Very clear and filled with deep and well-researched foundations.
The program was excellent, and the facilitators were top notch. This is the best training program I have experienced, both in substance and process.
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 LOVED the expertise that was brought and the content of this program. Very clear and filled with deep and well-researched foundations.
