Dialogue Vanderbilt is a campus-wide initiative putting into practice Vanderbilt’s enduring commitment to free expression and civil discourse, serving as a catalyst and connector for better conversations.
Vanderbilt’s transformative education supports our students' development of strong dialogue habits—equipping Vanderbilt graduates to thrive in complexity, connect across differences, and lead with courage and clarity—preparing them to succeed and drive meaningful impact in their careers and beyond.
Fueled by our commitment to radical collaboration, Dialogue Vanderbilt works with students, faculty and administration to provide tools and programs to engage in respectful, thoughtful conversations—across differences and on any topic, helping our students develop healthy habits of dialogue, debate and deliberation.
Dialogue Vanderbilt is a holistic, campus-wide approach spanning curricular, extracurricular, and community settings. Students practice dialogue habits across contexts—from everyday conversations to debate and deliberation—anchored in the principles of civil discourse: respect, constructive exchange, and trust.
This integrated model moves students from learning to leading, expanding depth, breadth, and impact over time.
Dialogue Vanderbilt brings leading voices from across the political, cultural, and ideological spectrum to campus for dynamic, large-scale events. These exciting events give the Vanderbilt community and the public opportunities to engage directly with influential thinkers and decision-makers shaping our world and see civil discourse in action.
The Vanderbilt Civil Discourse Lab (CDL) is the university’s hub for student civil discourse education – building dialogue, debate and deliberation habits. CDL utilizes proven methodologies that equip students to engage with different perspectives while incorporating curiosity, empathy, open-mindedness and academic humility.
CDL workshops are used in the classroom and throughout student life on campus.
Throughout campus students engage in different ways to practice constructive dialogue. Programs are student led and include a Free Expression board in the Dining Hall, Tabling and Lunch and Learns with faculty on a diverse and often difficult topics.
Dialogue Vanderbilt provides multiple opportunities for students to take on leadership roles and be visible role models on campus. Opportunities include the Dialogue Vanderbilt Student Advisory Board, Ambassador program and the new Dialogue Vanderbilt Student Facilitation Fellows.
Dialogue Vanderbilt leads several national initiatives and local partnerships to drive change beyond Vanderbilt’s campus.