The Campus Collaboration

In partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute, this project maps the types of conflict that threaten social cohesion on campuses, and the principles and strategies to foster better disagreement and cohesion.

Focusing on access and inclusion, in July 2022 ANU engaged with low-SES students to "understand this group of students who are an underrepresented but important part of our community, the challenges they have faced and where they have found support to recommend change that positively affects a range of students."

A review of research and policy on social cohesion in Europe, including how it is defined, trends and what interventions have been made (2022).

In 2024, Brunel launched a series of public-facing conversations, aimed at creating open discussions for students, local community, and academics to unpack recent research. The intention behind the series was to involve the wider public in research, make a space to engage freely on academic concepts in a non-academic space, and re-affirm the University's position as an anchor institution.

A thinktank examining issues of civil society and social cohesion through campus and public dialogues research.

A review of how social cohesion is conceptualised and measured in education (2021).

Middle East Dialogues is a series of public-facing dialogues held by faculty on issues related to the long history of conflict in the Middle East. Alongside forums, webinars and articles, the program is offering training courses taught by faculty to equip learners will further understanding of and tools to discuss the conflict.

The Civil Discourse Project organises events, studies and resources to encourage the teaching of civil discourse in classrooms. Primarily funded by private foundations, they host seminars for teachers to help students navigate discussions on sensitive topics.

Facing History provide courses on democracy, civil discourse, engaging with current political events and other civic life issues. They both directly teach to students and provide training courses for teachers.

The Civil Discourse initiative was launched in December 2023 to promote open inquiry and civility at the school. It achieves this by providing programs on civil discourse and hosting events known as the Harvard Dialogues. The Dialogues include listening sessions to hear from the Harvard community, as well as interdisciplinary conversations between faculties.

Following the events of October 7th, Harvard Kennedy School surveyed the state of conflict and conversation on campus. This led to the creation of a series of small group discussions on contentious issues. The Middle East Dialogues, led by Tarek Masoud, emphasise the importance of staying engaged in conversations and enduring the tension rather than leaving when conflict arises.

A faculty working group convened to ask "how best to reinforce and nurture a culture of open inquiry and constructive dialogue." A report with recommendations was released in October 2024.

The Global Initiative on Polarization produce research and materials on addressing polarisation. They convene meetings between world leaders and produce ongoing resources on the principles and actions needed.

A case study examination of content online between students focussing on (in)civility (2013).

A review of the courses on civil discourse within the higher education curriculum (2022).

Campus Conversations is a peer support group run by students to foster connections, socialise, and learn from each other. They offer weekly in-person activities, discussions and skills workshops at no cost. Initially launched as a community organising effort before COVID, the initiative aimed to enhance engagement and enrich the student experience on campus.

Fellowships, training and conferences that support interdisciplinary, creative thinking about solving social issues. Lehigh created the principle of 'Creative Inquiry 101' for guiding this work, which emphasised inquiry-based learning spaces for students, where they can experiment, ask questions and engage with what they're being taught.

Monash University has dedicated $1 million over two years to support a research program headed by Associate Professor David Slucki and Dr Susan Carland. This initiative aims to investigate the nature and experiences of antisemitism, Islamophobia and related biases, as well as to create and evaluate programs to improve social cohesion on campus. Additionally, the project will double the number of humanitarian scholarships at Monash University, particularly for students impacted by ongoing conflicts.

An article examining the separation of international and local students, focussing on different student experiences and interactions (2000).

The Social Cohesion Research Programme promotes research into social cohesion at different scales, focussing particularly on global issues and their effect on local social cohesion. Some of the Programme's publication topics include internet consumption, counter-terrorism and economic integration.

The Pluralist Lab was a half-day interactive workshop aimed at fostering respectful dialogue among students with diverse backgrounds. Activities included discussions on listening, constructive criticism, empathy and the use of innovative methods like coloured paddles to signal agreement or disagreement, promoting mutual understanding and critical thinking.

The Civil Discourse Project combines training on civil discourse, a fellowship program and a toolkit for respectful dialogue. Resources are provided for both students and staff. The project also encourages a variety of events designed to actively engage individuals across differences.

A theoretical outline of how universities can use curriculum and culture to increase social cohesion (2005).

As part of its wider poverty-reduction services, Reconciliation Services provides best practice leadership training that addresses how to lead diverse teams inclusively and address biases.

The Scanlon Institute releases an annual social cohesion study of Australia, looking in detail at public opinion on cohesion, trust, diversity and social issues.

A broad review of social cohesion across Australia, including issues of social justice, trust in instutions and other social factors (2022).

Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) are an anti-bias program that publish free resources, including the Teaching Tolerance magazine to almost half a million educators, that approach social issues.

The Difference Course is a course in five sessions for groups, either online or in-person, to learn about how to cross divides and navigate conflict within groups.

A case study on the introduction of teaching about civil discourse in a Liberal Studies programme and an evaluation of success (2019).

In 2023, Berkeley launched an eight-month virtual learning program designed to equip students to bridge divides on campus. The Learning Fellowship engages leaders in higher education looking to further constructive dialogue and build understanding across difference, including lines of race, religious faith, politics, or beyond. The fellowship is being offered to 200 leaders from across the University.

Better Conversations is a research group aimed at understanding and better facilitating communication for people with disabilities. It looks at different styles of communication, how differing disabilities may experience these communications and how to improve access to communication.

In 2014, the University of Chicago established guidelines aimed at upholding strong, free speech on campus while recognising the importance of diverse viewpoints. These guidelines allow for limitations on speech that breaks the law, is defamatory, poses threats or harassment, violates privacy or confidentiality, or disrupts the operations of a university. Since their inception, 110 other universities in the US have adopted these principles.

The Humanities Research Institute convenes public, interdisciplinary discussions that centre around linking academia with work that impacts local communities. It develops programs that show the 'humanities in action,' like their project on the land grant mission in Illinois.

The Critical Public Conversations series fosters meaningful discussions about the relationship between Indigenous and settler people in Australia. It aims to promote respectful and thoughtful dialogue, addressing both historical and current challenges in the country and providing opportunities for public engagement. Each year features a new theme, with the talks recorded and made publicly accessible.

The PIR offers a blend of taught courses and small-group discussions aimed at improving intergroup understanding. CommonGround, a student-led initiative, explores social identity, prejudice, stereotyping, power, privilege, and oppression through workshops lasting 1.5-3 hours. They use the "Empowering Conversations" method to facilitate intergroup dialogues at the centre.

Sydney's alumni program randomly pairs graduates from various disciplines to foster diverse connections, potentially leading to mentoring and networking opportunities.

In response to the January 6th insurrection in the US, students initiated a film project aimed at bridging political divides. The documentary included a blend of individual interviews discussing free speech, civility, and cancel culture, followed by recorded conversations between individuals with differing viewpoints.

In collaboration with StoryCorps, the University of Virginia is facilitating discussions between students with differing viewpoints on various topics. These conversations take place during "Dialogue Across Grounds" lunches or through one-on-one campus discussions.

Dialogue Vanderbilt is a combination of an academic fellowship program, a campus Civil Discourse Lab, and a free speech think tank that are designed to embed free expression, civil discourse, and neutrality on campus.

Weave produces resources and data to analyse the building blocks of social trust (behaviour, intentions and spaces) and a map of aggregated data from around the country on how these are functioning

In October 2024, Western Sydney University will host a conference on social cohesion in Australia. The event will gather academics, journalists and nonprofit leaders to discuss challenges to social cohesion in the country and explore how institutions like universities can contribute to enhancing it.

Western Sydney University established a citizens jury of students in 2022 to make recommendations as part of its Reimagining Student Representation project. The jury made 14 recommendations that the University has responded to.

An annual Indigenous-run festival that includes a cultural program as well as a forum to discuss and debate important issues affecting Indigenous people.