Discovery Through Dialogue

Discovery Through Dialogue

Dialogue is the lifeblood of Brown University. By cultivating meaningful conversations among and between students, faculty and staff across a variety of viewpoints, we advance Brown’s mission to discover and preserve knowledge and understanding.

The role of a university is to deepen shared understanding of the world and its most pressing challenges, through respectful dialogue and the rigorous shaping and reshaping of ideas. In furtherance of Brown’s mission, Discovery Through Dialogue amplifies and fosters new opportunities for meaningful conversations across a wide range of perspectives. Through skill-building, knowledge-building and community-building, students, faculty and staff play an essential role in the learning and innovation that moves Brown and the world forward, by actively sharing views, engaging in dialogue across differences, and learning from one another.

Brown’s Discovery Through Dialogue project reflects and expands the University’s long-standing ethos of open inquiry. Since the University’s founding more than 250 years ago, open inquiry and respectful discourse have been hallmark elements of Brown’s commitment to unlocking knowledge and understanding. Rich with diversity of thought and experience, the Brown community listens to and learns from one another through the regular exchange of ideas and perspectives. 

Ensuring that Brown continues to unlock knowledge and understanding through productive and respectful dialogue is a shared project of our campus community. 

Discovery Through Dialogue at Brown

 Skill-Building

Skill-Building

Skill-building to strengthen confidence and capabilities associated with productive dialogue.

Knowledge-Building

Knowledge-Building

Programs and events that facilitate and model open, respectful dialogue on challenging topics and divisive issues.

Community-Building

Community-Building

University-wide conversations and financial resources to expand dialogue and build trust and understanding across various perspectives and viewpoints.

Opportunities Events

A Community-Wide Project

In recent years there has been a marked shift across our nation, including on our campus, in the way individuals engage around contentious and polarizing issues, especially with those whose views differ from our own. It has become increasingly commonplace to isolate ourselves in online echo chambers rather than listen to and learn from each other. 

In this divisive time, Brown faculty, staff and students have called for more opportunities to practice and observe productive dialogue across diverse viewpoints. They also seek resources to cultivate important related skills, including listening and conflict resolution. 

Discovery Through Dialogue highlights existing programming and fosters new opportunities to practice and be supported in dialogue across differences. This campus-wide project at Brown is critical to achieving the academic excellence that grounds our community. It is also essential to Brown remaining an open, inclusive and respectful community where all students, faculty and staff feel safe and supported to share their diverse views on challenging topics and complex issues. 

Brown has always been characterized by its principled standards of intellectual openness and respectful discourse. We address differences through dialogue, debate and listening to each other. While no one can predict how national and international events will unfold and impact college campuses …, we will do everything within our power to ensure that Brown’s campus is a home where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and is free to share their perspectives and beliefs with those who agree and those who don’t.

President Christina H. Paxson
 
Christina Paxson headshot