Dialogue Vanderbilt is the University's intentional effort to consistently advance and more deeply imbed the university's long-held values of free expression, civil discourse and institutional neutrality across campus and beyond.
Through the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy and the Open Dialogue Visiting Fellows Program, students and other community members listen and participate in open forums with distinguished public figures who hold a range of perspectives on critical social and political issues.
Through the Vanderbilt Civil Discourse Lab, students are afforded myriad opportunities to engage in structured debate and dialogue activities, focused on complex issues, learning to challenge assumptions, defend positions with evidence and engage vigorously but respectfully. Those ideas are then being put into practice on a one-to-one level through a partnership with Story Corps called One Small Step to create a community we all feel more connected to and understood by.
And, through the Future of Free Speech, a nonpartisan think tank, the contours and value of free speech, domestically and globally, is emphasized and illuminated through innovative research, powerful convenings and impactful advocacy.
Dialogue Vanderbilt's work is furthered by a dedicated set of faculty and staff and, most importantly, an active Dialogue Vanderbilt Student Advisory Board composed of over 30 students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
The Unity Project seeks to elevate the role of research and evidence in the national conversation and help bridge America's deepest differences.
Each year, this program brings to campus a cohort of thought leaders with contrasting views on a particular social issue.
Through classes, workshops and trainings, students gain the skills and experience they need to discuss and debate with confidence and courage.
Led by free speech and human rights expert Jacob Mchangama, the Future of Free Speech Project fosters a global culture of free speech, on- and offline.
Dozens of events designed to explore free speech and civil discourse are hosted each semester by Dialogue Vanderbilt’s affiliated programs.
Look back at recent Dialogue Vanderbilt events you may have missed and explore resources related to free expression.
Polarization has made it hard to have tough-but-necessary conversations on university campuses and beyond. Free expression at Vanderbilt rests on three pillars: civil discourse, open forums and institutional neutrality.