Building Bridges of Understanding
Deeper Conversations, which President Farnam Jahanian launched in January 2024, is a university-wide initiative aimed at promoting the power of civil discourse. It spans a range of programming options — from scholarly lectures to cultural events — to engage members of the Carnegie Mellon community in studying and discussing some of the most complex challenges facing society today. Each wave of programming explores a specific divisive issue and is open to CMU students, faculty and staff.
In its inaugural year, Deeper Conversations focused on helping members of the CMU community navigate issues related to the history of conflict and the current geopolitical crisis in Israel and Gaza.
For the 2024-2025 academic year: We spent the fall term exploring issues related to democracy and the U.S. election and are devoting the spring term to examining the role of the U.S. government in society.
Upcoming Events
America's Role in the World
Date: Thursday, April 17, 4-5:30p.m.
Location: Simmons Auditorium, Tepper School of Business
Discussion Lead: Audrey Kurth Cronin, Director and Trustees Professor of Security and Technology, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology
Throughout the last century, the United States has played a pivotal role in shaping international affairs, leveraging both hard and soft power to enhance global stability and advance U.S. national interests. How has this international approach evolved over time? What role have alliances played? And how does U.S. engagement on the global stage influence domestic prosperity? Panelists will explore the United States’ historical and contemporary role in international affairs by examining past successes and missteps, the value of U.S. diplomacy in a rapidly changing world, and the future of U.S. leadership in global affairs.
Panelists:
- Mark Kamlet, University Professor Of Economics and Public Policy; Provost Emeritus, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology
- Sarah Mendelson, Distinguished Service Professor of Public Policy and Director of Sustainable Futures, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
The Federal Government and Knowledge Production: Balancing Innovation, Policy and Public Good
Date: Monday, April 21, 4-5:30p.m.
Location: Simmons Auditorium, Tepper School of Business
Discussion Lead: Theresa Mayer, Vice President for Research
This panel will explore the federal government’s role in funding, shaping, and disseminating knowledge across various sectors. It will highlight how federally sponsored research, health and medical centers, and regulatory frameworks contribute to scientific advancements and public well-being. Panelists will focus on the mechanisms, benefits, and challenges of federal involvement in knowledge production, translation, and dissemination.
Panelists will be announced soon.
REGISTER FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION
Featured Event
"America and the World: What's Ahead After the 2024 Election?"
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025, 4 - 5:30p.m.
Location: Simmons Auditorium, Tepper Building, 1st Floor
President Farnam Jahanian was joined by David Ignatius, Washington Post Foreign Affairs Columnist, to discuss the state of U.S. democracy following the November election.
Academic Coursework
CMU’s Course Catalog has a range of academic offerings focused on promoting productive discourse on politics and democracy. Some of these offerings include:
Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
- 90726 Disenfranchisement, Campaigns, and U.S. Election Policy
- 90714 Policy and Politics in American Institutions
- 90403/90703 Gender, Politics, and Policies in the U.S. and Across the World
History
- 79248 U.S. Constitution and the Presidency
- 79296 Religion in American Politics
Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST)
- 84365 The Politics of Fake News and Misinformation
- 84338 Analysis of U.S. Presidential Powers
Social and Decision Sciences
- 88230 Human Intelligence and Human Stupidity
- 88323 Policy in a Global Economy
Support and Resources
Recognizing that the work of engaging in honest and respectful conversations and meaningful learning opportunities around complex topics can be challenging, the University maintains an array of services and resources for supporting students, faculty and staff. These include:
Restorative Practices Opportunities
Restorative practices create spaces for community members to engage in meaningful conversations, address harm and collaboratively work towards shared understanding. These practices offer an opportunity to focus on healing and accountability rather than punitive outcomes. By implementing restorative practices, we endeavor to foster a supportive environment where every voice is heard, mend relationships, and cultivate and enhance a sense of belonging.
Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression Report
CMU’s Commission on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression report, released in October 2022, explores and clarifies the university’s commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression in a contemporary context.
Community Health and Well-being Resources
Carnegie Mellon offers a broad range of options for supporting the well-being of students, faculty and staff. These services are designed to care for an individual’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, among other aspects of their well-being.
Student Support and Resources
CMU’s Division of Student Affairs identifies a wide array of services and resources for undergraduate and graduate students across the University. Among the options listed: religious resources, immigration support, accommodation requests, crisis support and more.
Campus Climate and Bias Reporting Protocol
Launched in late 2023 and open to any member or visitor of the CMU community, this tool enables users to informally address and navigate alleged bias situations on campus. It complements formal tools for addressing hate and discrimination and supports involved parties in learning, growing, repairing harm and ultimately reaching a resolution.
Community Messages
Carnegie Mellon University leaders have actively sought out opportunities on campus to share support resources and options, reaffirm institution’s values and articulate a zero-tolerance stance on hatred, bias or discrimination of any kind. Meetings with students and other members of the campus community will continue to prioritize listening and productive discourse.
Authored by CMU President Farnam Jahanian:
- Holding our Community to a Higher Standard (November 2023)
- Supporting Those Affected by the Crisis in the Middle East (October 2023)
- Follow up to Supporting Those Affected by the Crisis in the Middle East (October 2023)
- Five Years on: Remembering 10.27.2018 (October 2023)
Co-authored by Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jim Garrett and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Gina Casalegno:
- Supporting our Community With Compassion (November 2023)
Co-authored by Vice Provost for Community Engagement, Development and Compliance Wanda Heading-Grant and Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Title IX Coordinator Elizabeth Rosemeyer:
Co-authored by Bess Family Dean of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences Richard Scheines and Dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy Ramayaa Krishnan:
Did You Know?
- The Collaboratory Against Hate Research and Action Center, a collaboration between CMU and the University of Pittsburgh launched in 2021, aims to develop effective interventions to inhibit every stage in the creation and growth of extremist hate, as well as interventions to minimize its impacts.
- During Fall 2023, the CMU community celebrated Democracy Day, a full day of programming devoted to exploring ways we can be respectful, intentional and constructive when engaging in civil discourse.
- The Center for Informed Democracy and Social cybersecurity (IDeaS) is a university wide transdisciplinary center launched in 2019 that is dedicated to the study of online disinformation and its effects on democracy.