DCI Events
The Deliberative Citizenship Initiative hosts a range of different events throughout the academic year to foster a more deliberative culture on campus through public reasoning and good argument.
Deliberative Forums
The DCI sponsors regular Deliberative Forums led by trained facilitators to enable productive, one-time small group discussions of difficult issues among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. The Forums usually begin with a panel that includes diverse perspectives on the topic at hand and are designed to be inclusive and engaging. The panel is followed by an extended opportunity for the audience to deliberate with one another on the topic. These discussions are moderated by DCI-trained facilitators and explore deep-rooted social, economic, and political challenges.
Past topics have included Free Speech and Inclusion, Social Media, Economic Mobility, Housing, and Reforming the Supreme Court, among others.
Deliberative Citizenship Speaker Series
The DCI hosts a Deliberative Citizenship Speaker Series that introduces the Davidson community to different theoretical and practical approaches to deliberation. Speakers with both academic and practitioner backgrounds are invited to give public lectures, meet with interested students, staff, faculty, and community members, and consult with the DCI Co-Conveners and Fellows on the work of the initiative.
Past speakers include Christy Vines (Ideos Institute), Eric Liu (Citizens University), Leila Brammer (University of Chicago), Debra Hawhee (Penn State University), Martin Carcasson (Colorado State University), and Sara Drury (Wabash College).
Davidson College students Daniel Lee '26 and Divin Dushimimana '26 reflect on their work with the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative and the happiness that comes from genuine conversations and thoughtful exchanges of ideas.