The Project on Civic Dialogue

Founded in 2018 as the Project on Civil Discourse, the Project on Civic Dialogue helps students cultivate a love of and the skills for listening and communicating across differences.  Though our beliefs and perspectives vary, we work from two core values: first, that dialogue is a skill that can be learned and must be practiced (and not a spectator sport). And second, that expressive freedom is a necessary condition for dialogue, but the real work is in collaborative inquiry, listening, and learning. 

We understand that we are asking more from ourselves than mere civility; we commit to listen generously, think critically, engage meaningfully, and inquire rigorously. We are all architects of our own voices, and we seek to use them and develop them with purpose and integrity.

Our Programs

Certificate in Dialogue & Relevant Courses

PCD is delighted to announce that a 12-credit Certificate in Dialogue for undergraduate students will be available starting Fall of 2025. Students pursuing the certificate will develop a strong skillset in dialogue facilitation to better investigate intersections between the personal and political. 

All PCD course offerings count toward the Certificate, with options including: Mediation and Dispute Resolution, First Amendment Moot Court, Dialogue for Grassroots Organizing, Dialogue for Civic Engagement, and Changemakers: Freedom of Expression.

Civic Dialogue Grant Program

Every Fall, the Project on Civic Dialogue opens applications for our Civic Dialogue Grant Program to provide AU community members and groups (including students, faculty, and staff) support and assistance in designing programs, along with funding of up to $1000 for program and event expenses. View our 2023-2024 PCD Grant Report.

Faculty Fellows/Faculty and Staff Programming

The SPA Civic Dialogue Faculty Fellows program supports efforts to infuse their courses and programs with opportunities to practice dialogue across differences, collaborative inquiry, and dispute resolution. Visit our faculty fellows page to meet the inagural class of 2024-25 fellows. 

In 2024-2025, we hosted several lunch sessions for faculty and staff on topics such as preparing to teach during an election year, self-censorship, and fostering thoughtful and inclusive dialogue. 

Events and Facilitated Discussions

PCD provides opportunities for dialogue including peer-led discussions with trained student dialogue facilitators and faculty-led events such as our popular “Disagree with a Professor” series. Each month, PCD hosts a dialogue-focused event, such as "Disagree with the Constitution" this September, and an event featuring a guest speaker from the AU or D.C. communities. 

Peer Facilitators

Faculty: looking for a co-curricular activity or in-class dialogue opportunity? PCD’s trained dialogue facilitators can tailor a dialogue opportunity to your course. Students who wish to be trained in Fall 2025 should reach out to dialogueproject@american.edu.