Events

On Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 PM, members of the Davidson community gathered together on Davidson’s campus to discuss income and wealth disparities. The 164 attendees (76 in person and 88 online) were treated to a meaningful, multifaceted conversation regarding whether or not they pose a problem to society and how, if at all, should they be addressed. Davidson College President Doug Hicks moderated the conversation that included two philosophy scholars, president of a Charlotte-based advocacy organization, and a vice president of a non-profit think tank based in North Carolina. 

These experts included Robyn Lake Hamilton, the CEO of the Urban League of the Central Carolinas, a local leader in the fight to combat inequality. Davidson’s Professor Sean McKeever and University of Richmond’s Jessica Flanigan, professors of philosophy and experts in the study of the phenomenon in question, brought their academic experience to the conversation. Lastly, Brian Balfour, Senior Vice President of the John Locke Foundation, was able to contribute insights from research into economic disparities and their causes and effects. President Hicks kept the conversation among the panelists focused on meaningful exchange of ideas and explorations of the disagreements that further illuminated the issue for those in attendance.

The event was co-sponsored by Davidson College’s Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, Center for Political Engagement, College Republicans, College Libertarians, College Democrats, Economic Department, Philosophy Department, and Political Science Department. Representatives from each of the student political organizations were present for the deliberative half of the evening.

The innovative and successful “round table” format, where the panelists discussed the issue around a table on a stage surrounded by the audience, once again proved to be the most engaging and accessible way to draw the audience into the conversation being held before them. The conversation was recorded with a 360 degree video camera, called the “Meeting Owl,” that was placed on the table the panelists were sitting at for those participants who joined over Zoom. The recording can be viewed by clicking play on the video icon below. 

After the hour-long discussion came to a close, participants turned to each other to continue the discussion. At tables of 6-8 people that included residents of the community, students, faculty, and alumni, trained DCI facilitators led discussions on the topic,  aided by a deliberation guide designed specifically for this event. The guide offered supplemental materials to the conversation to ensure each participant had necessary background knowledge to engage constructively in their group’s conversations. 

These conversations were not an end but the beginning of a long journey the participants have begun to become more comfortable with the disagreement such a complex issue inspires. Participants were more than willing to engage and came away deeply satisfied with their experience. Julio Ramirez, a Davidson College professor who attended the forum, said that the forum provided a “deep assessment of a complex problem from multiple perspectives” and was an “outstanding experience.” See comments from other participants about their experience below:

• “Not only are the discussion guides balanced and educational, but the facilitated small group deliberations are also such a breath of fresh air and source of hope amidst our current polarization and paucity of thoughtful discussions across differences.”
• “In these fractious times, it is not just refreshing but also life-affirming to be able to take part in discussion of tough issues with no easy answers, with people are intent not on “scoring points” but on working together to solve problems. Beats hell out of watching TV or playing video games.”
• “The Deliberative Forum is exactly the type of civic exercise we need right now to practice healthy discourse and “lean in” to the most important issues that will decide our future as world-citizens. Today’s event put the DCI’s goals into action. The panel and the small-group discussion inspired me to dig deeper into this topic and to find ways to take action.”

Check out the video recording of the panel discussion below as well as the event’s deliberation guide.

DCI-Income-and-Wealth-Disparities-Deliberation-Guide_-Fall-2024

The day after the 2024 Presidential election, the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI), in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office, the Communication Studies Department, the Political Science Department, and the Center for Political Engagement, hosted an event aimed at helping students process the election results in a constructive and thoughtful way. The goal was simple: to create a welcoming, open space for students to voice their reactions, questions, and hopes and concerns for the future, no matter the outcome of the election.

The event took place in the Union, where around 25 students from across the political spectrum gathered in Room 900 to engage in a conversation about the election results and what the next four years might hold. At one table, the Presidents of the College Republicans and College Democrats — who had worked together to organize the Eu-Phi Debate — engaged in a respectful discussion of the results with each other and other students. At other tables, both American and international students also shared their different perspectives on the election together. As the results were still fresh, emotions were running high, and there was an understandable need to come together to reflect, discuss, and strategize for the future. What made this event wasn’t just the opportunity to talk about politics—it was the semi-structured, deliberative approach to the conversation that allowed students to engage in meaningful dialogue, no matter where they stood politically.

The Process: Creating a Productive Space for Dialogue

To ensure that the event was both inviting and productive, the organizers used a structured approach to facilitate conversation. Each table in the room was dedicated to a specific theme or topic, such as election results, hopes and concerns for the next four years, next steps – what can I do?, and an open discussion table. Facilitators, trained by the DCI, were present at each table with guiding questions and ground rules to keep conversations on track and ensure that everyone’s voice was heard. 

The event was designed to allow participants the freedom to either stay in their current group and continue discussing the topic at their table, or to move to another table and explore a new theme with fresh faces. Some chose to stay, diving deeper into their original conversations, while others embraced the opportunity to engage with different perspectives, expanding their understanding of the broader issues at play.

The idea for the event came out of conversations between Graham Bullock, Associate Professor of Political Science and Faculty Director of the DCI, and Ike Bailey, Professor of the Practice in Communication Studies. Professor Bullock and Professor Bailey both agreed that it would be helpful to provide a space the day after the election for members of the Davidson community to reflect on the results and status of the election, whatever they might be.

At the event, Professor Bailey participated in conversations with the students while Professor Bullock provided guidance and time checks for the participants, ensuring that they were able to engage in ways that were most meaningful to them. More specifically, participants had the option to stay at their current table for each round or explore other topics with new people. This flexibility in format—where participants could both continue conversations or seek new ones—allowed for diverse and dynamic exchanges, reflecting the range of emotions and thoughts people experienced following the election.

Creating Space for Reflection and Action

In the days following any election, particularly a contentious one, it’s common for individuals or groups to feel anxious, fearful, or even hopeless about the state of American democracy. These emotions can be amplified by the divisiveness of modern political discourse, leaving many feeling uncertain about the future. Our event aimed to provide a space for students to both express those feelings as well as explore how they might act on them. The goal wasn’t just to reflect on the election results, but to help participants channel their emotions into constructive conversations about next steps, once they felt ready to do so.

Research on deliberation has shown that such deliberative discussions can strengthen political efficacy, meaning that people feel more empowered to act within the political system (Fishkin, 2009). With this in mind, the event provided participants not only with the opportunity to express their hopes and concerns, but also a space to consider concrete ways to get involved and make a difference in their communities in the aftermath of the election. Whether it was through volunteering, participating in local governance, or engaging in grassroots activism, the conversation enabled participants to turn toward practical steps for fostering the change they want to see in the world. This allowed participants to focus on ways they could contribute to shaping a future they could feel proud of, regardless of their political beliefs.

In many ways, the event echoed the core values of deliberative democracy: a belief in the power of informed, respectful dialogue to create a more engaged, empowered citizenry. Our hope was to help participants leave with a renewed sense of agency—no matter their political leanings or the outcome of the election. 

Building a Stronger Democracy, One Conversation at a Time

The day after the 2024 election, the DCI event succeeded in its goal to create a space for students to engage in thoughtful, reflective, and productive conversation. By offering both a space for thoughtful discussion and clear paths forward for those eager to take action, the event highlighted the importance of staying engaged in civic life—beyond just voting—especially during times of political uncertainty. It reminded us that democracy thrives when we actively participate, discuss, and contribute to shaping the future.

In the days following an election, it is easy to feel disheartened or disconnected from the democratic process. While it is important to give everyone space and time to either celebrate or grieve the results of hard-fought elections, events like this one can also remind us that democracy is not just about casting a vote—it requires us to stay engaged, have difficult conversations, and take steps, however small, to contribute to the well-being of our communities and society. Whether students left the event feeling heard, understood, motivated, or more informed, the most important takeaway was that they had a chance to participate in a meaningful dialogue that reaffirmed their role in shaping the future.

Thank you to all who attended, and we look forward to continuing important conversations about the challenges and opportunities we all face in the months ahead.

Resources

Fishkin, J. (2009). When people speak: Deliberative democracy and public consultation.Oxford University Press. 

On Friday, September 27, an engaged group of 20 faculty members, professional staff, and community members from various universities and colleges gathered for the Fall 2024 DeeP Collaborative Panel to explore the integration of deliberation into higher education classrooms. Professors Jason Blum (Davidson), Yingling Liu (North Central College), and Mindy Adnot (UNC Charlotte) shared their insights and experiences as part of the Deliberative Pedagogy (DeeP) Collaborative. 

These educators are not only experts in their fields—Writing, Sociology, and Honors Program Leadership—but they also bring a wealth of experience in fostering discussions around complex topics in their classrooms. Each panelist discussed their unique approaches in courses such as Religion in the Public Square, Introduction to Sociology, and Labor, Leisure, Learning, and a Good Life.

To start off the event, Graham Bullock, Faculty Director of the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, provided a brief overview of what constitutes a “deliberative classroom.” Attendees also engaged in discussions on how to implement these strategies in their own teaching practices.

Here is what our panelists had to say about their involvement in the DeeP Collaborative: 

“[The] DeeP Collaborative is really great for bringing new stuff into the classroom.  No matter where you are, in disciplinary terms, I think it can be super useful.” – Jason Blum

“The training, the reading, the materials were great, the cohort, and the exposure to other people’s pedagogical ideas and innovations. It was all wonderful.”  – Mindy Adnot

“I will say my experience was very rewarding and given that I wasn’t sure  how it was going to play out with my school situation. I think it all worked out well. I would definitely recommend to others.”  – Yingling Liu

Are you a faculty or professional staff member eager to enhance deliberative practices within your courses? We invite you to explore our DeeP Collaborative program, designed to empower educators like you to cultivate meaningful discussions and engagement among students. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your skills and transform your teaching methods. Be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s application process; we would love to have you join us in this initiative. Your involvement can play a crucial role in fostering a more interactive and thoughtful learning environment that benefits both you and your students.

Due to inclement weather associated with Hurricane Helene, the panel was held online over Zoom. You are welcome to check out the recording of the event below.