In a time of deep division, The University of Pittsburgh champions the idea that equipping the campus community with the civic skills and tools to engage respectfully, listen deeply, challenge one’s assumptions, and expand previously held beliefs is crucial to strengthening democracy.

What started as a theme year dedicated to discourse and dialogue transformed into a multi-year, community-wide initiative at Pitt that spans the Chancellor’s office, faculty development, learning centers, student organizations, and curriculum.

All over campus, members of the Pitt community are doing the essential work of ensuring every student has the opportunity to practice difficult, productive conversations about the pressing issues shaping the country.

A campus-wide effort to promote productive dialogue will expose nearly all students to opportunities to have more meaningful conversations about the topics that divide us.

To showcase this work, we’ve launched the Real Talk: Across Campus, Across Divides project, which includes video and text interviews with students, Chancellor Joan Gabel, provosts, deans, and faculty.

Why Pitt? Divided Nation, United Campus

The University of Pittsburgh is a microcosm for the greater U.S. It’s situated in a politically divided state, draws students from diverse backgrounds, and is a large research institution serving students with vast intellectual curiosities.

While many schools adopt civil discourse into aspects of their campus, Pitt is an excellent example of a school that’s made dialogue a strategic imperative and integrated its efforts to reach most students on campus.

Why engage in productive conversation work now?

Students want to have meaningful conversations about pressing issues. Across the nation, young people are feeling the effects of polarization. Instead of doubling down on their opinions, they are hopeful they can build bridges with their peers, educators, and administrators. With the correct set of skills and multiple opportunities to practice, students are willing to engage.

In a time when colleges and universities are under intense scrutiny, the University of Pittsburgh has found a way to work together to overcome differences and find shared humanity.

What’s Next? Have better conversations, not perfect ones.

Having productive conversations is a learned skill that requires practice with different actors in different settings. Pitt offers multiple entry points to practice dialogue, from the classroom to the dorm room to co-curricular events. Having meaningful conversations about divisive issues takes confidence and a willingness to engage, developed by repeated effort.

There’s no single way to do this work; most initiatives aren’t prescriptive or bound to a particular pedagogy. Instead, students, faculty, and leadership develop skills through tools that teach people to deepen understanding, embrace differences, find common ground, and strengthen empathy.

Learn more about the Real Talk: Across Campus, Across Divides project and how one campus community embraces productive dialogue to develop future leaders and preserve democracy.

University of Pittsburgh