Fellows

By Valeriia Kruzhkova ’26

Embarking on a career journey involves a series of crucial decisions that have an impact on both professional and personal aspects of life. Deliberation plays a key role in guiding individuals through this process, helping them make well-informed choices. In the realm of career exploration, deliberation takes on various forms, from conversations with professors to job interviews and beyond.

Deliberation goes beyond being just an action. It is a mindset with a natural tendency towards careful thought and contemplation. In the context of career pursuits, having a deliberational mindset prompts individuals to carefully assess options, contemplate potential outcomes, and ponder over their aspirations. Practicing deliberation is vital for moving away from black and white thinking and embracing a more nuanced understanding of career paths.

For instance, deciding on a specific profession may not be solely about choosing between passion and practicality. By engaging in deliberative thinking, individuals can explore various possibilities that balance personal values with job stability.

Career choices are often framed as either/or decisions, such as a high paying job versus a passion, stability versus innovation, corporate job versus startup. Through careful consideration, these oversimplified views can be broken down into many pieces, revealing a range of possibilities that blend different elements in unique ways.

For example, deliberation can help individuals realize that following a passion does not necessarily mean sacrificing financial security and working in a corporate setting does not automatically stifle creativity. By carefully weighing the pros and cons of each option, individuals can shape career paths that align with their needs and goals.

Schools act as a foundational space for nurturing deliberation skills. Learning environments that promote open dialogue, critical thinking and exposure to diverse viewpoints help students develop the ability to make informed decisions effectively. Having discussions with professors and other students helps to navigate the uncertainties that come with exploring different career options.

By integrating real world scenarios related to career decision making into the curriculum, students can further sharpen their decision-making abilities. Through structured discussions on career related subjects, students gain proficiency in expressing their thoughts and making choices that align with their long-term goals.

Deliberation is an essential tool for advancing one’s career development by promoting personal growth and resilience for changes. By nurturing the habit of reflection, individuals can navigate the complexities of their professional journeys with confidence. Whether it’s in educational settings, during job hunts or at critical career turns, practicing deliberation empowers individuals to create career paths that reflect their values, needs and goals.

By Arshiya (Arshi) Husain ‘26

This March, I had the opportunity to attend the SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue at the University of Delaware. Another DCI Fellow, Stephen Walker, and I represented Davidson College amongst a group of over 100 participants from around the country. I interacted with students from various institutions and academic backgrounds: University of Missouri, Howard University, and University of Pennsylvania, to name a few.

The SNF Ithaca Initiative brings together a diverse group of college students to engage in dialogue and learn how to respectfully and effectively engage in discourse in an increasingly polarized world.

When I first stepped foot on the University of Delaware’s campus, I was met with the buzzing energy of folks in buttoned blazers ready for a weekend of meaningful deliberation. The first person I introduced myself to informed me that her ambition in life is to be able to provide gender-affirming care to transgender youth. Others told me they were interested in pursuing careers in environmental protection policy or human rights legislation.

Over the course of two days, I worked in small groups to evaluate the issue of free speech (or the lack thereof) on college campuses around the nation and whether free speech serves as an impediment to DE&I. One case we looked at closely was Liz Magill’s resignation from her presidency at the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. This particular case is centered around the pressure faced by academic institutions to address issues such as antisemitism while effectively upholding principles of free speech. Magill’s resignation, however, highlights a broader, national challenge of colleges trying to navigate freedom of expression in an increasingly politically charged climate.

This experience reinforced the importance of the work that the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) does here at Davidson. Many colleges, I realized, lack similar initiatives and increasingly struggle with getting young folks engaged in essential discourse. While there is work yet to be done, the DCI brings Davidson one step closer to allowing for healthy dialogue on campus and helps foster a community where people can be comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations.

I further had the opportunity to sit in on various panel discussions of educators involved in administrative, deliberative, and DE&I work on their respective campuses. One panelist emphasized on the intertwined nature of DE&I and free speech—”you can’t have DEI without free speech,” she said. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, both fundamentally and by definition, has to be inclusive of all perspectives and schools of thought. I realized that the societal default has become such that we tend to think of free speech in a context where it is harming marginalized communities.

It is high time that we reframe the way we look at this issue. We must use free speech as a tool to understand the thought processes of our neighbors and communities better—rather than as a weapon to wield in times of divisiveness. I recognize now that those who claim that DE&I and free speech can’t coexist are merely setting up a false dichotomy when, in reality, it is not an either-or situation.

In college settings, especially, it is imperative that students feel empowered to engage in civil discourse on a regular basis. I believe this is a necessary step in creating tolerant as well as diverse communities.

Photo credit: Citizens’ Assembly of Ireland

By Atyantika Mookherjee ’27

At the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, our D Teams, Deliberative Forums, and events aim to bring together a multitude of individuals to discuss conscientious topics to promote tolerance. In these deliberations, there is an emphasis on the importance of thoughtful exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and rational discourse to reach well-considered decisions. Nonetheless, while at Davidson and other college campuses, such an initiative is an active method to foster civic engagement, the question arises: is widespread deliberation truly feasible at the national level in modern societies?

At its core, widespread deliberation requires active participation from a broad spectrum of society. It entails creating platforms where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to discuss issues, share insights, and collaboratively seek solutions. However, one of the primary challenges to widespread deliberation is the issue of accessibility. Structural barriers such as socioeconomic disparities, geographic distance, and technological limitations can hinder broad participation. Not everyone has equal access to platforms for deliberation. Bridging these accessibility gaps requires proactive efforts to ensure that marginalized communities, including those with limited resources or marginalized voices, have avenues to participate meaningfully in deliberative processes.

Moreover, ensuring inclusivity within deliberative spaces is paramount for their effectiveness. Diversity of perspectives, experiences, and identities enriches discussions and leads to more comprehensive decision-making outcomes. However, achieving true inclusivity entails overcoming biases, discrimination, and power imbalances that can marginalize certain groups within society. Furthermore, the success of widespread deliberation depends on the willingness of individuals to engage in constructive dialogue. In an era marked by polarization, echo chambers, and information silos, fostering a culture of open-mindedness, empathy, and critical thinking is essential. People must be willing to listen to opposing viewpoints, challenge their assumptions, and engage in civil discourse even amidst disagreement.

Despite these challenges, there are promising examples of widespread deliberation being implemented in various contexts around the world. The Citizens’ Assembly initiative in Ireland, established in 2016, engages randomly selected citizens to deliberate on key societal issues. Notably, it played a crucial role in recommending abortion law reforms. Through informed deliberation, it successfully fostered inclusive decision-making and contributed to shaping public policy in Ireland, modeling an example of how deliberation is viable at the national level. Similarly, consensus conferences and participatory budgeting are initiatives that have the potential for inclusive decision-making processes that incorporate deliberative principles.

Technology further offers new opportunities to expand the reach of deliberative processes. Online platforms, social media, and digital tools can facilitate broader participation, enable diverse voices to be heard, and promote transparency in decision-making. However, it is crucial to address algorithmic biases and privacy concerns to ensure that technological innovations in deliberation uphold democratic values and principles.

Therefore, while the idea of widespread deliberation may seem daunting, it is not inherently unattainable. By addressing challenges related to accessibility, inclusivity, and civic culture, societies can move closer to realizing the vision of deliberative democracy. Embracing deliberation as a foundational principle of governance holds the promise of fostering informed societal discourse and advancing collective well-being.