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    Engaging Difficult Dialogues

    Difficult Dialogues is a national program designed to promote and protect academic freedom and religious, cultural, and political pluralism on university campuses.

    • Have you ever been criticized for bringing conversations about gender, religion, science, or politics into your classroom?
    • Have discussions on gender, religion, science, or politics ever caused conflict in your classroom?
    • Have you shied away from topics such as these to avoid conflict in your courses? 
    • Have you witnessed students being marginalized or even attacked for their race, worldviews, or religious beliefs? 
    • Do you struggle with how to manage outbursts and maintain a safe, effective learning environment? 
    • Do you believe that civil discourse and the art of respectful argument are the cornerstone of the university experience?   

    If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then we invite you to apply to participate in our online workshop focused on classroom management techniques developed by the Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center. 

    The workshop is designed to teach new skills to faculty and staff to transform discussions with students into the learning and affirming experiences they are meant to be rather than combative and destructive discourses.

    Together we can improve the learning climate on our campuses, resulting in a university that is more inclusive of minority voices and a safer place for the free exchange of ideas.

    Apply to the Spring 2023 Workshop

    Spring 2023 Engaging Difficult Dialogues Workshop

    This hybrid in-person and online workshop for faculty and staff will focus on techniques designed to encourage discussions with students in the classroom and beyond that are learning and affirming experiences.

    The upcoming spring 2023 workshop is inspired by the Ford Foundation Difficult Dialogues Grant/National Center for Difficult Dialogues text Start Talking: A Handbook for Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education, Kay Landis editor (University Alaska, Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University)


    • Applications are due Friday, December 9, 2022.
    • Applicants will be notified by Monday, December 21, 2022.

    Meet the 2023 Engaging Difficult Dialogues Facilitators

    Jameson Brewer
    Jameson Brewer, Ph.D.Profile page

    Associate Professor

    Phone706-867-3010

    Office locationNewton Oakes Center, 122, Dahlonega

    Rebecca Johnston
    Dr. Rebecca JohnstonProfile page

    Associate Director of Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership/Professor of Music

    Phone706-867-3011

    Office locationDunlap Hall, 110, Dahlonega

    Kelly McFaden
    Kelly McFaden, Ph.D.Profile page

    Professor, SFE; Department Head, Social Foundations & Leadership

    Phone706-867-3257

    Office locationNewton Oakes Center, 132, Dahlonega

    Scott Meachum
    Scott Meachum, J.D.; Ph.D.Profile page

    Assistant Professor

    Phone706-864-1523

    Office locationBarnes Hall, 121, Dahlonega

    Pablo Mendoza
    Pablo MendozaProfile page

    Director of Diversity and Inclusion

    Phone678-696-2462

    Office locationAdministration Building, 124, Gainesville

    Carl Ohrenberg
    Dr. Carl OhrenbergProfile page

    Associate Professor of Chemistry

    Assistant Director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

    Phone678-717-3537

    Office locationScience, Engineering, Tech, 209, Gainesville
    Science, Engineering, Tech, Gainesville

    Alyson Paul
    Alyson PaulProfile page

    Assoc VP Student Affairs/Dean of Student

    Phone678-717-3877

    Office locationStudent Center, 204, Gainesville

    Stephanie Rountree
    Stephanie Rountree, Ph.D. Profile page

    Assistant Professor of English

    Phone706-310-6231

    Office locationStudent Resource Center, 586, Oconee

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