Dialogues Across Differences

Building Community When in Conflict: Exploring Perspectives, Impact, & Understanding

February 18th, 2026  

This conversation revolves around peoples' expereinces and perspectives on the conflict between Israel and Gaza. Our goal is to create a space where diverse people have a chance to voice their feelings, to hear others’ perspectives, and to broaden their understanding of those around them. This conversation is not to advocate for, or to convince anyone of your political position, but to provide a place for people to build trust and find community by engaging with each other. Together we are taking the first steps of healing our community. 

Neurodivergency and Conformity in Higher Ed 

February 12th, 2026  

In a society built by and for neurotypical ways of thinking, neurodivergent individuals often grapple with challenges invisible to their peers. Higher education frequently prioritizes conformity in learning styles, communication, and measures of success, creating additional barriers for neurodivergent students. This dialogue invites participants to reflect on the many ways people think and learn, how institutions shape belonging, and what gets lost when difference is discouraged. Through shared experiences and open conversations, we aim to create a safe space for neurodivergent students to share their perspectives while offering neurotypical peers the chance to build understanding and become better allies. 

Can They Be Healthy? The Positives and Negatives of Parasocial Relationships 

February 10th, 2026    

This dialogue on “Parasocial Relationships with Celebrities and Fans” aims to foster meaningful discourse and a productive exchange of ideas around the many forms of parasocial relationships in modern media, from influencer culture to celebrity fandom. We’ll explore the wide variety of these connections, including:

• Entertainment-Social (casual fandom for fun and gossip)

• Intense-Personal (stronger emotional attachments, viewing celebrities as deeply significant figures)

• Borderline-Pathological (obsessive, uncontrollable behaviors that may include stalking or delusional thinking)

Why does this topic matter? Has the rise of influencer culture caused parasocial bonds? How do social media platforms exacerbate these relationships? Join us for a thoughtful exploration of how these relationships shape our social landscape and individual daily lives.

Let's Talk Political Polarization on Campus

December 4th, 2025

This dialogue was requested by a senior student for their capstone project. With the help of a Student Dialogue Associate, the student created and facilitated a dialogue with the purpose of bringing together a community of students with different political perspectives and levels of political engagement to discuss polarization on Dickinson’s campus. The goal of this dialogue is to achieve mutual understanding which doesn't mean reaching a consensus but rather deepening our knowledge of diverse viewpoints around this important issue. The objective is not to debate policies or politicians, but rather to discuss ideas, beliefs, and emotions surrounding political polarization and the ability to speak freely on campus.

De-Confusifying the Discourse Around Disability in Oz

November 10th, 2025

This dialogue aims to guide meaningful discourse and an insightful exchange of ideas and perspectives between participants about disability and otherness through the movie Wicked. Participants will then get the chance to discuss how themes of disability and otherness impact the storyline and reflect on the societal impacts in the real world.  

Culture and Costumes 

October 15th, 2025

Culture and Costumes promotes necessary dialogue around the cultural, social, and ethical issues of costume practices, particularly during Halloween. By raising awareness about how costumes can reinforce harmful stereotypes and further the marginalization of minority communities, people can make informed and respectful decisions that challenge norms. 

Redesigning Democracy Dialogues 

September 17th, October 6th, Novemeber 17th, 2025

For the first two sessions, participants were lead through AAC&U and Institute for Democracy in Higher Education’s Democracy Re/Designed framework that gives students, faculty, and staff the tools to have real conversations about what a democracy that works for everyone could look like. It's about imagining new possibilities, questioning the status quo, and shaping systems that are more just, inclusive, and responsive to people's needs. 

Our last event titled Redesigning Democracy Action Forum facilitated on Novemeber 17th, 2025 gave space for future and past participants to discuss and act on what we collectively want to see in the democracy we're creating. 

Joke's on Who? Understanding the Difference of Intent vs. Impact in Comedy 

April 1st, 2025

This dialogue program centered around offensive/edgy humor and discussed the line between dark humor and offensive humor, how internet culture has influenced our idea of comedy, and the relationship between free speech and responsible expression. Participants gained a greater understanding of how different types of humor impacts different people, and several participants left the dialogue with a desire to continue the conversation and learn about other perspectives regarding comedy. 

YikYak 

March 26th, 2025

YikYak has become a heavily used social media platform at Dickinson since it's relaunch in 2021. Students use it to advertise upcoming events or ask questions about Dickinson logistics, but students also use it to spread rumors and fight anonymously with other anonymous peers. We brought a group of students, varying in YikYak usage, to discuss the app and its place at Dickinson, as well as the following questions: How does it help the Dickinson community? How does it hurt? At the end of the day, does it cause more harm or good to our community? 

Artificial Intelligence

February 27th, 2025

With the realm of academic grappling with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the implementation of it from Google to your toothbrush, the Dialogues Across Differences provided a space for students, faculty, and staff members to discuss how, if at all, they use AI and their feelings regarding AI becoming more mainstream. The group was able to emphasize with the fears surrounding AI and gained a greater understanding of useful applications of AI. 

Greek Life 

February 26th, 2025

After witnessing a stark divide between the Greek Life and non-Greek communities here at Dickinson, in conjunction with both sides expressing that they feel stereotyped by others, the Dialogues Across Differences program set out to make that divide smaller. We brought together representatives of different Greek Life organizations and students who are not members of the Greek Life community together to discuss the stereotypes and misconceptions they face. The group was able to empathize with one another and understood why people may choose to join (or not join) a Greek Life community. It also increased communication between current Greek Life organizations and encouraged more partnerships between these organizations. 

2024 Post-Presidential Election 

December 3rd, 2024

The Dialogues Across Differences (DxD) program designed and facilitated two dialogues centered around the 2024 presidential election, given the excessive polarization surrounding the last few presidential elections. The second dialogue was held after the election and centered around how the election results impacted the campus community, and how our community can survive polarization. 

Student-Athletes & Non-Athletes 

October 24th, 2025

A student-athlete working for the DxD program led the charge on a dialogue series centered around the divide between student-athletes and non-athletes. We had noticed a trend of these groups staying relatively separate and had heard some student-athletes express their difficulties with meetings students outside of their sport due to their busy schedules. So, we decided to carve a space and time for these two groups to better understand each other and "clear the air" of how they feel about one another. 

New Protest Policy

October 24th, 2025

A student senator who worked for DxD brought together students from different Dickinson communities came together to discuss Dickinson's new protest policy after. They expressed their feelings about the new policy and their desire of more transparency from the administration regarding this new policy. The students put together a list of what they wanted to express to the administration and a series of actionable steps to have a more transparent relationship between the student body and administration. 

2024 Pre-Presidential Election 

October 17th, 2024

The Dialogues Across Differences (DxD) program designed and facilitated two dialogues centered around the 2024 presidential election, given the excessive polarization surrounding the last few presidential elections. The first dialogue was between Dickinson Democrats and Dickinson Republicans with the goal of having the two groups understand each others' political convictions on a more personal level.