Dynamic Discussions Featured Projects

Dynamic Discussions Featured Projects

Higher education has an important role in helping students and society at-large be critical thinkers who can approach dialogue and discourse from a position of scholarship and fact rather than bias and bigotry. This page highlights the important work of UC Davis faculty, staff, and students addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and bigotry.

The initiative emerged from a University of California Office of the President funding initiative supporting projects across multiple UC campuses focused on addressing bias, bigotry, and the challenges of engaging across difference. While the original funding period has concluded, UC Davis continues to expand this work through evolving programming, resources, courses, workshops, facilitated dialogue opportunities, and engagement tools.

This hub will continue to grow as a space for sharing ideas, stories, and opportunities that encourage meaningful connection, reflection, and dialogue across the UC Davis community and beyond.

The projects and perspectives featured throughout this hub reflect the work of individual contributors, campus partners, and sponsoring units and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, UC Davis, or the Chancellor.

Dynamic Discussions News

Bringing Middle Eastern History into K-12 Classrooms

A historic collaboration between the UC Davis Department of History, Middle East/South Asia Studies Program, and the California History-Social Science Project (CHSSP) is helping bring academically grounded lessons about Middle Eastern history into K-12 classrooms—at a time when teachers say the need for context and accuracy has never been greater.

Resources for Pesach / Passover

In support of our patients, faculty, employees, students, and community members we would like to share the following resources for awareness, care, and guidance around accommodations to consider when hosting gatherings and/or meetings where food is provided during upcoming observances.

Taking a Break, Together

Held on March 12, the “De-Stress Together” event was hosted by Student Affairs in concert with the UC Davis Principles of Community 35th anniversary celebration. The event brought students together for creative expression, emotional support and community building — all under one roof.

Bridging Divides Through Dialogue

In an article in Letters & Science Magazine, Sven-Erik Rose of the Jewish Studies Program and and Mairaj Syed discuss their collaborative work to critically understand and counter antisemitism and islamophobia.
Asian man with glasses and a grey sports coat, folds arms and looks over his shoulder at the camera.

Building Bridges Through Compassion

Dr. Hendry Ton shares expert insights on fostering connection and psychological safety during polarizing times.

An invitation from Renetta G. Tull, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

We recognize that amidst life's new beginnings and daily responsibilities, many continue to carry the weight of stress and trauma from global events and societal challenges. We invite you to engage with the our ongoing efforts to highlight discussions that connect to health and community. We acknowledge effects of trauma, and shares ways to foster healthy paths forward through a blog series, developed and written by Dr. Hendry Ton, Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Ton is also a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, with expertise in psychiatry, psychology, and public health. He writes in the spirit of sharing knowledge that can applied to healing, and contributing to building a beloved community.

Additional Resources

Hate Free Together is a partnership between UC Davis, Yolo County and the City of Davis.

Learn about the Race Matters resources from UC Davis Human Resources.

Read the latest Campus Community Book project and attend an upcoming CCBP event.

These 9 Tips for Managing Socio-Political Stress (download the pdf) were inspired by and adapted from lists created by the American Psychological Association, Texas Woman’s University, University of Michigan, Boston University and UC Davis students.

U.S. democracy depends on dialogues that represent a multiplicity of perspectives. Discover ways to pursue civic engagement.

Seek out a meaningful conversation through healing circles, educational events, and other community programming through the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center

Make an appointment with the UC Davis Ombuds Office, which is a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource.

Report an incident if you believe you have experience or witnessed an act of hate, bias, harassment or discrimination. 

Find Places and Spaces to connect

Resources specific to students

Explore mental health services available to UC Davis students.

Connect with community at one of the many Student Affairs centers and programs that speak to your identity and culture.

Resource specific to staff and faculty

Schedule a healing circle for your team at UC Davis Health. 

Take out a course through UC Davis Learning and Development on such topics as conflict competence, interpersonal skills, and communicating with patients. 

Explore mental health services available to UC Davis staff and faculty through the Academic and Staff Assistance Program.