On Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, the DCI held its annual Deliberation Facilitator Training. While rooted at the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College, this year’s program marked a major milestone in scaling deliberative discourse, welcoming a record-breaking cohort of over 230 participants joining both in person and online.
These annual trainings, held since the spring of 2020, are designed to empower students, staff, faculty, and community members with essential skills to navigate and lead complex conversations. What made this year particularly celebratory was the sheer scale and reach of the audience: participants represented Davidson College alongside 24 partner institutions from the newly launched Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN). This diverse nationwide blend created an energetic, inclusive setting that expanded the DCI’s community of practice across higher education.
Spread over two weekends, the 8-hour comprehensive training equips participants with practical frameworks to facilitate structured, respectful discussions on contentious social and political issues among people with varying perspectives. Upon completion of the two-day training, participants earn their DCI Facilitator Certification, preparing them to lead formal deliberative forums as well as informal dialogues in their home communities and campuses.
Session 1: Setting the Foundation
During the first day of training, Dr. Graham Bullock guided participants through the core principles of preparing for and structuring effective deliberations. Trainees learned how to establish inclusive ground rules, foster curiosity, and create a welcoming environment for public reasoning.
A central highlight of the opening weekend was a hands-on mock deliberation focused on Free Speech and Inclusion, facilitated by senior DCI Fellows and several Davidson community members. Stepping into the role of deliberators, participants shared personal views and observed firsthand how experienced facilitators guide challenging conversations. The interactive session underscored the critical role that empathy, respect, and active listening play when navigating contentious topics.
Session 2: Advanced Techniques and Hands-On Practice
The second session focused on equipping trainees with advanced tools to manage tense moments, diffuse polarization, and encourage deeper reflection. Participants engaged in an interactive, gamified learning module based on the Deliberation Facilitator’s Handbook, which brought key facilitation techniques to life.
To put theory into practice, trainees then assumed the role of facilitators during a second mock deliberation centered on the focus of the DCN Student Convention that will be hosted in Davidson, NC, in the Spring. Working through the DCI’s custom discussion guide, participants practiced asking probing questions, balancing airtime, and guiding peers across differing perspectives. This supportive practice environment allowed new facilitators to refine their instincts and build confidence in real time. The deliberation also created practical guidelines for the Student Convention, which many of those participating in the Facilitation Training will join.
Building a Broader Deliberative Community
The training concluded with an opportunity for in-person and online participants to reflect, celebrate, and connect with fellow advocates dedicated to strengthening civil discourse.
With the newly certified facilitators returning to Davidson and campuses across the DCN, the impact of this year’s training will extend far beyond the two-day workshop. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated and look forward to seeing how these facilitators apply their skills to cultivate thoughtful civic engagement in their local communities.
Interested in building a better democracy, one conversation at a time? Keep an eye out for upcoming DCI Deliberation Facilitator Trainings and join our growing community!
