About the Initiative
Freedom of expression thrives within a culture of civility and empathy. Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) is designed to foster a resilient and inclusive community of learners among students, faculty, and staff and to engage with diverse perspectives and navigate challenging conversations with a shared commitment to mutual understanding and respect.
Ways to Engage
Featured Programming
Join the Trust Collaboratory for their Listening Tables campaign to chart a new compact for dialogue and understanding on campus. Listening is a fundamental prerequisite for better conversations, empathy for others, and trust. This experiential initiative puts front and center learning by engaging with different viewpoints, mutual understanding, and a commitment to the principles of pluralism and tolerance. We invite you to join these conversations to come together, build trust, foster community, and engage each other with respect and openness.
Join the Columbia Climate School for an engaging showcase featuring a panel discussion and lightning talks led by top experts. Sessions will delve into the latest advancements in climate science, finance, sustainability, and sectoral approaches to mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Following each session, there will be interactive Q&A opportunities, as well as discussions and dialogues with an audience that includes leaders from industry, government, and academia.
Learning Opportunities
We are dedicated to enhancing faculty skills for managing differing viewpoints on sensitive subjects, especially during times of crisis. The Office for the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and the Center for Teaching and Learning will host a series of faculty professional development workshops designed for faculty to have more hands-on experiences addressing ways to run more effective classrooms. It is recommended to take all three workshops, though not mandatory, as each workshop is designed to stand alone and will be led by a lecturer in SPS’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program.
Listening Skills and Empathy for Effective Classrooms
Friday, September 13, 2024, 9-11am | 203 Butler Library
The first workshop, led by Martin Epstein, is designed to develop better active listening skills. Good, effective listening can facilitate communication and build more positive relationships. It can also be a valuable tool in de-escalating possible emotionally escalated and charged conversations. The workshop will explore different levels and types of listening, with a particular emphasis on how empathy naturally arises from good listening practices.
Managing Disruptive Behaviors in the Classroom
Friday, September 20, 2024, 9-11am | 523 Butler Library
Led by Jenny Besch, the second workshop is designed to explore specific strategies and tactics to de-escalate behaviors that may disrupt learning in the classroom. Faculty will learn techniques for effectively managing classroom interactions among students and between students and faculty. These skills will be especially important during discussions on sensitive or "hot" topics, helping to create a more inclusive environment for all students.
Healing and Restorative Practices in the Classroom
Friday, September 27, 2024, 9-11am | 203 Butler Library
The third workshop, led by Dianne Williams, Ph.D., builds on faculty’s existing skills to support the use of Restorative Justice approaches in the classroom as a way to build community and repair relationships while encouraging reflection, communication, and healing. When students experience a campus climate and relationships that cultivate trust, safety, and belonging, they are more likely to demonstrate positive behavior. Restorative approaches aim to promote student investment and responsibility for shared routines and norms.
Other faculty resources include the CTL’s workshops, “Teaching in Times of Stress” and “Navigating Heated, Offensive, and Tense Moments in the Classroom.”
University Life continues leading sessions to foster dialogue across differences among students through the Campus Conversations Initiative.
Campus Conversations is a dialogue-based initiative created to promote understanding across differences. It offers students, undergraduate and graduate, a way to learn critical listening skills, manage difficult conversations, and talk about identity. Join a Campus Conversation and you will make a friend, have a real conversation and build community at Columbia.
Partnering with the Consensus Building Institute, a leading organization in facilitation, capacity building, and citizen engagement, we offered skills training to student affairs and DEI staff in navigating differences, de-escalation techniques, as well as specifically addressing the impact of the conflict in Israel and Gaza on our campus.
The Institute led a series of sessions for a cohort of student-facing staff titled, “Navigating Differences around Polarizing Topics.” These sessions began preparing chief student affairs officers and senior diversity officers to lead programs, support students, and guide their staff during times of conflict.
Seed Grants
Meet the Inaugural Faculty Grant Recipients
Seed grant funding aims to promote conversations where faculty, staff, and students can confront difference and find mutual understanding. Learn more about the Spring 2024 awarded projects.
News and Announcements
Inaugural Dialogue Across Difference Grants Awarded by Office of the Provost
The seed funding aims to promote conversations where faculty, staff, and students can confront difference and find mutual understanding.
Update on Dialogue Across Difference
Dennis Mitchell announces programs, funding opportunities, and resources for the Columbia community.
Dialogue Across Difference: Seed Grant RFP and Faculty Workshops
Dennis Mitchell shares resources and engagement opportunities about the new Dialogue Across Difference initiative.