New Dialogue Series and Opportunity for Funding

October 2, 2024

Dear Rutgers–New Brunswick Community,

As communities across our nation grapple with a wide array of painful and polarizing issues, universities have a key role to play in not only increasing awareness and education around the challenges we face but also in leading the way toward a more civil and empathetic discourse about these concerns. In that spirit, I am pleased to announce a new initiative, Dialogue Across Difference, aimed at bringing people together to listen, learn, and engage in respectful dialogue across cultural, political, religious, and ideological divides. This initiative consists of two components: a series of public events planned for this academic year and funding for proposals that carry out its goals.

I have asked the Eagleton Institute of Politics, with support from my office and in partnership with both the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement and University Equity and Inclusion, to organize workshops that offer tools for effectively engaging across difference and to arrange panels that tackle difficult topics while modeling the respectful exchange of ideas that is too often absent from our present discourse. A list of those events currently planned can be found here, with additional updates and announcements to follow.

I am also inviting members of the Rutgers–New Brunswick community to submit proposals for lectures, symposia, artistic events, or other convenings that are jointly organized by individuals, groups, or departments whose collaboration exemplifies the bridging of difference across cultural, political, religious, or ideological divides. Funding amounts will typically not exceed $5,000, though exceptions will be considered. Proposals will be evaluated for their impact and potential to engage large numbers of participants across respective communities, and compelling proposals of this kind are likely to receive more robust funding.

Submissions should be one to two pages and should include: a detailed description of the proposed activity; an explanation of the collaboration and the way in which it bridges difference according to the above criteria; and an estimated budget identifying any additional forms of support. Review of proposals will occur on a rolling basis for events intended to take place during the current academic year, with notification generally two to three weeks following submission. Proposals can be submitted here.

By having the courage to engage in difficult dialogue and the compassion to consider a different viewpoint, we can chip away at the walls that divide us and build bridges that lead, if not to agreement, at least to greater understanding and respect.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor and Distinguished Professor
Rutgers University–New Brunswick