Year 1
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin was interested in providing students opportunities to engage in meaningful political deliberations in ideologically diverse groups.
- With the Chancellor’s input and support, the then Dean of the UW-Madison School of Education, Diana Hess, and The Discussion Project Team developed the UW-Madison Deliberation Dinners program.
- 110 students completed the program
Data Highlights
Below is the data collected by the Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative across all seven dinners in 2023-24 and averaged across all dinner exit tickets. The response rate from students has been at least 95% each time.
- Students overwhelmingly approved of the format and structure of the event, reporting that it made it easy to participate (94%), allowed for inclusive conversations (95%), and engaging conversations (94%).
- Students reported that they felt valued (95%) and comfortable (95%) during the discussion, and that they enjoyed the discussion (93%).
- Students agreed that different viewpoints were able to be heard and shared in a respectful way (94%), and that the discussion helped them understand opinions different from their own (88%). Students also reported that the discussion provided an opportunity to learn from their peers (95%).
Evaluation Executive Summary
WEC (Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative) conducted an outside evaluation on our initiative every year through data collection and observations.
Students’ thoughts about the UW-Madison Deliberation Dinners
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. Professor Benitez-Barrera 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. As for feedback, I think that this program should be advertised on a grander scale next year. It’s a wonderful opportunity that many others would enjoy. I’ll let you know if I think of more feedback as we continue to meet! -Salma G.
Overall, I have really enjoyed getting to discuss each month’s topic. I think the project addresses a big problem in our society and being able to talk about “hot topics” in an environment where everyone is trying to learn from each other has been a very cool thing to witness and take part in. I have really appreciated starting the monthly meetings with a meal. I know the benefit of doing this has been mentioned multiple times, but I really feel that it creates a sense of camaraderie and lets relationships form in a way that maybe wouldn’t be possible without the dinner segment of the nights. –Sylvia D.
Dates & Location
Dates:
- October 23, 2023
- November 20, 2023
- December 11, 2023
- January 29, 2024
- February 12, 2024
- March 4, 2024
- April 8, 2024
Location: Varsity Hall at Union South
Time: Mondays, 5-7:30PM
Issue Questions Discussed at Each Dinner
1. What should UW-Madison’s policy be with respect to students’ use of AI for academic work?
2. Should we expand nuclear power generation capacity in Wisconsin?
3. Should marijuana be legalized, regulated, and taxed in Wisconsin?
4. Should the state of Wisconsin establish a flat tax on income?
5. Should Wisconsin adopt a public health approach to gun violence prevention?
6. Should Wisconsin establish a right to abortion, or make it illegal?
7. Should U.S. citizens be required to vote in elections?
Faculty & Academic Staff Facilitators
| Name | Department | School |
|---|---|---|
|
Andrew Stevens |
Agricultural and Applied Economics |
Agricultural & Life Sciences |
|
Carlos Benítez Barrera |
Communication Sciences and Disorders |
Letters & Science |
|
Diana Rodríguez-Gómez |
Educational Policy Studies |
Education |
|
Gwen Eudey |
Economics & Finance, Investment and Banking |
Letters & Science, Business |
|
Harry Brighouse |
Philosophy |
Letters & Science |
|
John Zumbrunnen |
Political Science, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs & Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning |
Letters & Science |
|
Juliana Pacheco Duarte |
Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics |
Engineering |
|
Karen Kopacek |
Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research Division and Office of Student Affairs |
Pharmacy |
|
Kathy Cramer |
Political Science |
Letters & Science |
|
LJ Randolph |
World Language Education, Curriculum & Instruction |
Education |
|
Lori Lopez |
Communication Arts, Director of the Asian American Studies Program |
Letters & Science |
|
Pam McGranahan |
Nursing, Director of the Doctorate of Nursing (DNP) program |
Nursing |
|
Robert Nix |
Human Development & Family Studies |
Human Ecology |