Bringing Brave Spaces to Higher Education
Creating Brave Spaces in Higher Education at Dartmouth
Kristi Clemens is expanding her role as the executive director of the Dialogue Project, a new initiative at Dartmouth College aimed at enhancing communication skills within higher education. The project, launched in January as part of Dartmouth Dialogues, focuses on training in areas such as empathetic listening and managing difficult conversations.
Clemens, who previously served in various roles at Dartmouth including Title IX coordinator, now dedicates her efforts exclusively to the Dialogue Project. Her efforts are centered on creating “brave spaces” rather than traditional “safe spaces,” inspired by her diverse academic experiences, including her time as a graduate student at the University of Vermont.
The concept of “brave spaces” is intended to foster courage among participants to engage in challenging discussions, encouraging respectful dialogue even when disagreements arise. This approach aims to empower individuals to speak their truths while acknowledging the potential impact of their words on others.
The Dialogue Project has already launched several programs, including workshops and events featuring prominent speakers. It has also partnered with StoryCorps to facilitate conversations between individuals with differing political perspectives, further enhancing its mission to encourage open dialogue across differences.
Clemens plans to integrate the principles of the Dialogue Project into various aspects of the Dartmouth experience, ensuring that students develop the necessary skills for productive conversations beyond their time at the university.
Source: Google News RSS