Civil Discourse

Vanderbilt University's College Republicans and Democrats came together for an Insight Debate on the intersection of faith and governance, exemplifying the school's commitment to “dialogue across difference" in pursuit of understanding.  Read More

The first debate, 'Vanderbilt Insight Debate on Institutional Neutrality,' will be held on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Seigenthaler Center Forum Room. The topic will delve into whether Vanderbilt should maintain its policy of institutional neutrality. Registration using your Vanderbilt email address is required to attend. Read More

First-year students at Vanderbilt spent their first Monday afternoon on campus with Chancellor Daniel Diermeier discussing the importance of free expression at Vanderbilt and how to engage in civil discourse. Read More

As part of its annual review of policies and guidelines, Vanderbilt University has updated the Student Handbook. The update includes revisions to the freedom of expression and use of university space policies, which are a vital part of the university’s commitment to discovery and learning.  Read More

Hosted by Vanderbilt Civil Discourse Lab, 60 student-athletes gathered for the event—which kicked off Dialogue Vanderbilt fall activities—in an effort to model and encourage civil discourse on campus. The topic of the debate was “Resolved: Playing offense is harder than playing defense," a subject that cut to the core identity of many in the room. Read More

The gathering, centered around open discussion with Mayor Freddie O’Connell regarding the “Choose How You Move” transportation plan, was held Monday, May 20, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Moving Forward. Read More

In August 2023, the university launched Dialogue Vanderbilt, its core initiative to bridge divides, reestablish a vibrant culture of civil discourse and free expression, and showcase experts from on campus and around the world, leading the charge to build more engaged citizens and communities.  Read More

The Choice, produced by the Dialogue Vanderbilt, is a four-part podcast focused on the key moments and ramifications of the 2024 presidential election between former president Donald J. Trump and current President Joseph R. Biden. Vanderbilt’s Jon Meacham and John Geer will blend history and political science to offer insights and context about this rematch of the 2020 presidential contest. Read More

Each month, from September through November, the College Democrats and College Republicans will face off in front of a public audience composed of students, faculty, staff and community members. Shortly after each of these debates, the Advocacy, Dialogue and Debate Lab will host an Agnon Dialogue, during which approximately 50 student participants will have the opportunity to make their case in front of and have their arguments tested by their peers.  Read More

Students from across Vanderbilt joined representatives from the George W. Bush Institute to share their thoughts and views on democracy, leadership and practicing good citizenship. These sessions took place April 10 in the relaxed environment of the Dialogue Vanderbilt offices. The Bush Institute’s aim is to understand and promote views on democratic values, responsible civic participation and civility—which mirrors Dialogue Vanderbilt’s focus on modeling, researching and showcasing free expression and civil discourse.  Read More

Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog joined Professor Brett Benson’s Introduction to International Politics class last week, with Fayyad on Wednesday, March 27, and Herzog on Thursday, March 28. “I think this is the only university in the country that can host Salam Fayyad one day and the Israeli ambassador the next,” Morgan Ortagus, former spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told students, as she led the conversation with Ambassador Herzog.  Read More

National education reporter Laura Pappano will discuss her latest book, School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics, and the Battle for Public Education (Beacon Press, 2024), at the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries on Tuesday, April 9. In her book, Pappano draws on archival research as well as on-the-ground reporting to offer a nuanced view of how schools across the country have become lightning rods in the culture wars. Read More

The student-led Impact Symposium was established 60 years ago to bring leaders and intellectuals from around the world to Vanderbilt University to encourage discussion on current issues affecting our world. Plan to join this year’s anniversary celebration on Thursday, March 21, and Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Langford Auditorium. Read More

A conversation between Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, and Morgan Ortagus, former spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, will be Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m. CT at the John Seigenthaler Center. Markarova’s participation will provide attendees with an invaluable opportunity to learn about Ukraine’s challenges and geopolitical stance.   Read More

Although gun control is a topic at the forefront of the national conversation, it’s rare to see a structured debate on gun policy reform between those on opposing sides of the issue. On Feb. 28, the Advocacy, Dialogue, and Debate Lab for Civil Discourse Education and Vanderbilt Political Review hosted a debate on gun control policy between Vanderbilt College Republicans and College Democrats on gun control policy. It was the first time in several years that the two organizations held a formal debate. The event was sponsored by Dialogue Vanderbilt. Read More

Don Abram, the visionary founder of Pride in the Pews, will be the next speaker in the Dialogue Vanderbilt faith leader series. His conversation with Vanderbilt Divinity School Dean Yolanda Pierce is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 6 at the John Seigenthaler Center. Read More

As a follow-up to the successful and illuminating Agnon Dialogues discussion on gun restrictions, Vanderbilt Debate lab is partnering with Vanderbilt Political Review, College Republicans and College Democrats to host a debate on gun control policy Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Read More

Morinville, a history major in the College of Arts and Science, was named to the next class of the John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows Program for 2024-2025. Selected through a highly competitive process, the scholars and fellows represent a wide range of backgrounds, ideologies and faiths, creating an environment that fosters open dialogue, empathy and understanding. The program is run by the Faith and Politics Institute. Read More

Pulitzer Prize–winning author and propaganda expert Anne Applebaum will visit Vanderbilt on March 5 for a discussion of the rise of autocracy in today’s geopolitical climate.  Read More

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney joined Pulitzer Prize–winning author and professor Jon Meacham, co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, to speak about the future of U.S. democracy at the inaugural event for the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the American Presidency. Read More