Dynamic Discussions Hub

UC Davis Dynamic Discussions

An invitation for perspective

Welcome to the Dynamic Discussions resource hub. The goal of this web portal is to provide the UC Davis community with useful content, resources and events that will foster respectful dialogue at our university even amid intense local, national or global events or issues. It reflects the work of numerous faculty members, staff, students and scholars throughout UC Davis who are committed to creating a university environment that both upholds freedom of speech and the UC Davis Principles of Community. 

We invite you to engage with us. 

Events

Cynthia Miller-Idriss speaks at the Mondavi Center on Feb. 5. She is seated in a blue chair on stage and is wearing a bright teal coat and black pants and is speaking into a microphone.

Courses

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Featured Projects

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Why Dynamic Discussions Are Needed Now

World events increasingly shape conversations across college campuses, including at UC Davis. In classrooms, shared spaces and private settings, people bring different perspectives informed by their experiences, identities and hopes for the future.

Dynamic Discussions is grounded in the belief that we all share responsibility for building community and bridging differences. By engaging respectfully across differing viewpoints, we create opportunities to learn from one another and better understand the diversity of human experience.

We hope these resources help you foster thoughtful, meaningful conversations within the UC Davis community.

Dynamic Discussions is funded through the Office of the President to address and combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias, bigotry, and discrimination.

Discover the Dynamic Discussions Conversation Deck

created by UC Davis Inclusive Excellence to help people have thoughtful, respectful conversations

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Dialogues Across Difference

Balancing academic freedom, difficult speech, and respect in learning spaces.

Learn about the Dialogues Across Difference Project
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Start a Conversation That Matters

The Dynamic Discussions Conversation Deck was created by UC Davis Inclusive Excellence to help people have thoughtful, respectful conversations that strengthen their connections with one another. Grounded in the UC Davis Principles of Community, the deck helps groups create the conditions for trust — because trust is essential when engaging complex topics and diverse perspectives.
Learn More About the Deck Order A Copy of the Deck
View of the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock in the background.

Critical Thinking & Context Amid Conflict

Professors Rose and Syed’s effort to create a space for open, respectful dialogue—without advocating for one viewpoint over another—reflects a deep commitment to fostering understanding with courage and academic integrity—one of the goals of Dynamic Discussions. The article, "UC Davis Scholars Tackle Antisemitism and Islamophobia," by Mario Sestito originally appeared in Letters and Science Magazine.
Read the article
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Guided by the Principles of Community

The UC Davis Principles of Community reflect a commitment by the university to clearly state our values in response to controversy and incidents occurring on campus and in surrounding communities. The principles are much more than a statement of good intent. In the face of discord, reflecting on and referencing the UC Davis Principles of Community is an affirmation that we have values that guide us. Since they were adopted 35 years ago, they have affirmed our commitment to one another even in the face of disagreement or division.
Learn about our values Read the Principles of Community

About Dynamic Discussions

In creating the Dynamic Discussions web page, Inclusive Excellence was intentional in taking a collaborative approach to building content. We aim to draw on the expertise of a myriad of scholars, professionals and practitioners at our university. We are listening to and integrating input from scholars from religious studies, Jewish studies, Middle East and South Asian studies, history, human rights studies, Center for Regional change, the feminist research institute, freedom of speech experts, trauma-informed care centers, mental health experts, and more.

In September 2024, we reached out to other UC Davis recipients of the UCOP grant to address bias and bigotry to ask to include their projects on Dynamic Discussions webpage. ​These and other projects were selected for inclusion based on their funding source and the focus of their work.

Dynamic Discussions Seeks to:

  • Create a peaceful respect for all cultures.
  • Affirm the dignity inherent in all of us.
  • Embrace our shared humanity.
  • Uphold everyone’s right to exist.
  • Acknowledge that history matters.
  • Encourage a respectful exchange of ideas.
  • Foster an appreciation for each person’s life experience.
  • Promote respectful dialogue.
  • Open an invitation for perspective.
Dynamic Discussions web portal is not intended to be …
  • A means for disciplinary action.
  • An exhaustive list of resources.
  • A solution for current or past traumas.
  • A resolution about global events.  

View the projects

Dynamic Content

This website is intended to be a dynamic space. We expect to make updates throughout the year. Likewise, we will continue to connect with the leads of UCOP-grant funded projects to gather and share updated information as it becomes available. So please check back here regularly.

We also anticipate people may have questions or feedback as they engage with the content. With this in mind, we invite you to email us with your constructive comments or questions.  If you have a story to share about the work you or your community are doing in this space, please feel free to contact us using our content submission form. 

Thank you for engaging with us and in helping to promote Dynamic Discussions at UC Davis. 

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Contact Us

The projects, events, and guest opinions on the Dynamic Discussion site represent the views of each of the project and event sponsors and guest writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UC Davis or its Chancellor.