Past Conferences

Flyer for the Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center 2025 Conference titled 'The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue in Polarized Times,' scheduled from June 30 to July 2, 2025, at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, featuring a photo of a historic campus building on the right side.

A crowded dining hall with many people sitting at tables and eating. The room has wood-paneled walls, large windows, and a fireplace with a brick chimney. People are engaged in conversation, using phones, or eating.

2025- The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue During Polarized Times

The fifth biennial DDNRC conference titled, The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue in Polarized Times, was held June 30th-July 2nd at Washington University in St. Louis.

A diverse group of women seated in a classroom, listening to a woman at the front who is speaking. The whiteboard behind her has words related to dialogue and fears, including 'Confronting Our Fears,' 'Embracing Dialogue,' and 'Polarized Times,' with an agenda bullet point list.

Poster for 2023 DDNRC event titled 'Choosing Dialogue: Mapping the Course Through Difficult Conversations,' sponsored by San José State University and Cal State East Bay, featuring a man raising his fist in a peaceful outdoor setting.

2023- Choosing Dialogue: Mapping the Course Through Difficult Conversations

The fourth biennial DDNRC conference titled, Choosing Dialogue: Mapping the Course Through Difficult Conversations, was held June 12-14 at San José State University in San José, California.

2018- Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education in the Digital Age

The third biennial DDNRC conference titled, Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education in the Digital Age, was held October 17-19 at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

Poster for a conference titled 'Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education in the Digital Age' taking place from October 17th to 19th at the University of Maryland, College Park. Contains images of four speakers with names Michelle Norris, Jelan Cobb, Carolyn Lukensmeyer, and Suzanne. Mentions pre-conference workshops, plenaries, breakout sessions, and keynote panel. Includes a URL for more information and registration.

A colorful word cloud in the shape of a speech bubble, featuring words related to government, democracy, opinions, views, and civic engagement.

2016- Strategies for Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education

The second biennial DDNRC conference titled, Changing Climates, Divided Landscapes: Strategies for Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education, was held October 24-25, 2016 at the Michigan Union on the campus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (U-M).

2014- Difficult Dialogue Practices in Higher Education: A New Imperative Democracy

The first biennial DDNRC conference titled, Difficult Dialogue Practices in Higher Education: A New Imperative of Democracy, was held September 25-26, 2014 at the AT&T Conference Center on the campus of the University of Texas, Austin (U-T).