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 Speaker Series

This series of events will explore what healthy debate and civil discourse look like. Sometimes, we’ll hear expert voices talking about what’s required for the pluralistic exchange of ideas. And sometimes we’ll bring together speakers with differing points of view, modeling their engagement and respectful disagreement. 

Confirmed speakers:

• March 18, 2026: Greg Lukianoff, CEO of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression).
  Co-sponsored with the La Follette School of Public Affairs.
• March 23, 2026: Colleen Shogan, former Archivist of the United States, 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. 

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 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.

Date: May 14, 2026

Students

Civil Dialogue Training Pilot

A collaboration with the Institute for Citizens & Scholars will allow 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.

Date: Check back soon for more information.