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Before applying, please read the following information. 

Deadline has been extended to: Sept. 7, 2025.

Application Information

What are the UW-Madison Deliberation Dinners?

The UW-Madison Deliberation Dinners are a set of six dinners (three during the fall semester and three during the spring semester) that give undergraduate students opportunities to deliberate on important political issues with peers from a wide variety of backgrounds and political perspectives.

How It Works:

Students are in groups of 10-12 for the duration of the program. Each group has a faculty or academic staff person trained to facilitate these deliberations.

Ten people at a table. One person is talking and everyone at the table is looking at them.

What are the requirements and commitments?

  • Attend. Participants in the program are required to attend all six dinners. Dinners are from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Complete a 10-15 page reading on that evening’s topic before each dinner.
  • Complete brief surveys.
  • Be ready to listen, talk, and learn with your peers.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be an undergraduate. Must be able to attend all six dinners, split between the fall and spring semesters.

Students getting food at a buffet line

What are the benefits?

  • Enjoy a Delicious Buffet Dinner.
  • Earn a $100 gift card (this is tied to attendance and completing surveys).
  • Get to know a faculty or academic staff member.
  • Connect with students from backgrounds different from your own.
  • Develop and hone skills like public speaking, critical thinking, and articulating thoughts on challenging topics.
  • Gain a new experience for your resume.
  • Receive a letter of recognition for your involvement.

Testimonial

“I have enjoyed the Deliberation Dinners so far and am grateful for the opportunity to build connections with people who have different views than mine. My favorite part of the dinners has been dissecting and understanding how the others at my table think and challenging their views. [Our Faculty Facilitator] has done a great job creating a safe, welcoming environment for us to share our thoughts in. The space feels open and supportive, which creates a sense of comfort that allows us to speak up, ask questions and be open to being challenged.”
–Salma G.

Read more testimonials from past participants.

Dates

MONDAY

(Cohort A)

  1. October 13, 2025
  2. November 10, 2025
  3. December 1, 2025
  4. January 26, 2026
  5. February 16, 2026
  6. March 16, 2026

TUESDAY

(Cohort B)

  1. October 14, 2025
  2. November 11, 2025
  3. December 2, 2025
  4. January 27, 2026
  5. February 17, 2026
  6. March 17, 2026

WEDNESDAY

(Cohort C)

  1. October 8, 2025
  2. November 12, 2025
  3. December 3, 2025
  4. January 28, 2026
  5. February 18, 2026
  6. March 18, 2026

Application Form

Fill out the application form and submit it by Sept. 7, 2025.

Apply Now

Questions? Contact Emma Cabrera at aecabrera@wisc.edu.