Events

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS

Exchange in Action

Challenges and opportunities for pluralism on our campus, and our shared expectations for the Wisconsin Exchange, will be the focus of a series of discussions with members of the initiative’s steering committee. Register to participate in these ongoing conversations — we want to hear your ideas, questions, and hopes for the Wisconsin Exchange.

Date: Various dates to be announced. If you would like to be part of these conversations, sign up below.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS

Wisconsin Exchange Speakers

An ongoing slate of speaker events will explore what viewpoint diversity, healthy debate and civil discourse look like. Sometimes, we’ll hear expert voices talking about what’s required for the pluralistic exchange of ideas or the impact it can have. And sometimes we’ll bring together speakers with differing points of view, modeling respectful disagreement. 

Confirmed speakers:

• March 5, 2026: Democracy in the Balance: The Essential Role of Journalism in Advancing Civil Discourse
  A fireside chat with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and distinguished journalist and media executive Andy Lack, former Chairman and CEO of NBC News, leader at Bloomberg Media Group, and producer for CBS News’ 60 Minutes.
  Co-sponsored with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
• March 18, 2026: For Me, But Not For Thee: Free Expression in Higher Education
  A fireside chat with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin and author, lawyer and advocate Greg Lukianoff, CEO of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression).
  Co-sponsored with the La Follette School of Public Affairs, with support from the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership, the Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy (CSLD), and the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy (CROWE).
• March 23, 2026: A Conversation with Colleen Shogan, former Archivist of the United States
  A conversation between Allison Prasch, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Politics, and Culture in the Department of Communication Arts and Dr. Shogan, CEO of In Pursuit, senior advisor, More Perfect, and senior fellow of civics education, Stand Together Trust.
  Co-sponsored with the College of Letters & Science, with support from the Paul Martin Wolff Center for American Thought, Culture, & Society. 

Check back soon for more information and additional events.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS

Wisconsin Exchange: Pluralism in Practice Workshop

A sustained engagement with thought leaders and practitioners will provide students, staff, and faculty opportunities to dive deeper into the dynamics of viewpoint diversity and constructive engagement across differences. More details will be available soon.

Date: March 23, 2026

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS

Common Ground Forum

The Wisconsin Exchange will work with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute’s Center on Civility and Democracy to host a Common Ground Forum.

Date: Spring 2026

FACULTY AND STAFF

Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026

A pluralism and civil discourse track will be offered at the Teaching and Learning Symposium scheduled for next spring. Instructors who are engaging their students in dialogue across diverse perspectives are encouraged to submit proposals by January 23.

Date: May 14, 2026

Students

Civil Dialogue Training Pilot

A collaboration with the Institute for Citizens & Scholars allows UW–Madison students to pilot a new AI-powered, voice-based tool that helps users rehearse real-world conversations and receive real-time feedback.

• Students identify a few issues that matter most to them. 
• Bite-sized explainers show them how and why civil discourse skills work. 
• Students practice each skill out loud with an AI partner through short voice conversations on a topic they chose, with the AI taking a different (often opposing) view. 
• Students get real-time coaching and instant feedback from a second AI mentor on each conversation, leaving them more confident and prepared for the real world.

The first civil dialogue training pilot is currently underway.