鶹ýӳ

Skip to main content

鶹ýӳ Dialogues

a logo that says 鶹ýӳ Dialogues

 

鶹ýӳ University is dedicated to fostering a culture of constructive dialogue and building bridges across differences. Learn more about recent efforts below.

harvard’s commitment

Report on Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue

In spring 2024, the  Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue Working Group was convened to explore the question of how best to reinforce and nurture a culture of open inquiry and constructive dialogue at 鶹ýӳ. In October 2024, the group released its report and recommendations to reinforce the free exchange of ideas, rigorous discourse, and empathy for all members of our learning communities.

Ongoing initiatives in constructive dialogue

Centers and initiatives

Grant and fellowship programs

Resources

Other recent events

A look back at events and discussions designed to foster a climate of constructive dialogue

Screenshot 2025-08-18 at 4.10.17 PM copy

2024 HILT Conference, “Open Minds in Dialogue”

HILT’s thirteenth annual HILT Conference, held on September 20, 2024, at the 鶹ýӳ Graduate School of Education, explored open inquiry and demonstrated the ways in which engaging in constructive dialogues are essential to teaching, learning, and research.

askwith_panel_4-22-25

Askwith Education Forum Explores How to Bridge Differences with Universal Dignity

U.S. Special Olympics chair and UNITE co-founder Tim Shriver highlighted ways to improve communication and rhetoric by choosing dignity over contempt

An aerial shot of the 鶹ýӳ campus

Dialogue & Action Series

This spring 2024 series featured conversations among colleagues from across nine Massachusetts universities in the spirit of tackling difficult issues and modeling constructive dialogue.

02252025-DIBLoveJudaism_106_900x600 copy

Spring series at HDS explores ‘love’ across difference

In spring 2024, the 鶹ýӳ Divinity School community explored the ways love is understood and practiced across different faith traditions.

Screenshot 2025-10-06 at 5.03.12 PM

Safra Center: Civil Disagreements Series

010824_Features_SM_111 copy

‘鶹ýӳ Dialogues’ taps power of respectful debate

Held in January 2024, this week of programming was designed to help students, faculty, and others engage in candid conversations on tough topics

free-speech-web-graphic_final copy 2

Free Speech, Political Speech, and Hate Speech on Campus

鶹ýӳ Radcliffe Institute’s interdisciplinary panel to discuss the purposes and scope of academic freedom and the legal norms that govern how universities respond to conflict and protest

121724_Tarek_Masoud_0117 copy

Stepping into the hot center

Tarek Masoud’s ‘Middle East Dialogues’ sparked many conversations — including about importance of having them

鶹ýӳ students in an audience asking questions

The Summit on Intellectual Vitality and Free Expression

In January 2024, 鶹ýӳ Dialogues kicked off with a two-day gathering co-hosted by the 鶹ýӳ College and PEN America featured scholars of law, history, and politics, and workshops for undergraduate students.

Michael Sandel on stage

Hard Questions: Ethics in the Age of AI

In winter 2024, Michael Sandel, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, challenged students to question their assumptions, like whether technology will change what it means to be human? And if that matters?

鶹ýӳ faculty talking on stage at a 鶹ýӳ Kennedy event

Dissent, Disagreement, and Democracy

As part of 鶹ýӳ Dialogues, a 鶹ýӳ Kennedy School panel wrestled with how to repair divides and explored creating a culture of candid, constructive conversations.

A zoom screen with four 鶹ýӳ faculty members

‘Human dignity front and center’

Finding common ground in an era of intense political and personal division begins with mutual respect was the message of “Coming Together Across Difference,” an online discussion in winter 2024 featuring Danielle Allen, David Lazer and Alexandra Pineros-Shields.