November 2019

Conversation has always been at the core of education, with discussion-based seminars serving as a key paradigm for learning in college. This symposium examines the essential role of the Academy in cultivating meaningful conversations on campus and in the classroom.

In today’s society, conversation is increasingly being replaced by contention. The longstanding consensus that free speech should be encouraged and protected is being challenged by student protests over controversial campus speakers. What is the appropriate balance between preserving free speech versus fostering an inclusive campus environment where all students feel welcome and valued?

Professors often navigate challenging conversations with students about race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality, among other topics. We should encourage honest dialogue among students while being sensitive to their varied life experiences. College faculty also encounter the ubiquitous presence of smartphones and online communication in the lives of our students. How do we promote the value of conversation “in real life” when students are becoming less comfortable with this type of social interaction?

Conversations among the faculty are essential to the vitality of the Academy, especially when they prompt us to step outside our traditional disciplinary boundaries. New types of scholarly inquiry and innovative pedagogy often arise from cross-disciplinary exchanges. How can the Academy encourage and support faculty dialogue that leads to productive collaborations?

During this two-day symposium, which contains keynote presentations, a special panel discussion, and breakout sessions, we encourage you to engage in your own conversations about these important issues.

The 2019 Faculty Resource Network National Symposium, which took place in Miami, Florida, examined these challenging questions by drawing on the collective expertise of scholars, educators, practitioners, and administrators. The sessions were held at FRN institution University of Miami.