Panel Event – Disagree Better: Research on Dialogue & Debate (Updated Location)
The Office of the Vice President for Research is excited to organize the upcoming event “Disagree Better: Research on Dialogue & Debate”. Disagreement is a common occurrence and vital to meaningful conversation. Yet, humans often struggle to disagree in ways that advance communication. To that end, researchers across the University of Utah are engaged in research to advance our understanding of dialogue and debate so that we can disagree better.
We will hear presentations from the selected panel and, following, engage in a thought-provoking discussion:
- Michael K. Middleton, PhD – Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
- Presentation Title: Learning to Disagree Better: Preliminary Results from the University of Utah’s Debate Across the Curriculum Initiative.
- Nicolas Parra-Herrera, SJD – Wagner & Holbrook Chair in Negotiation, Associate Professor at S.J. Quinney College of Law
- Presentation Title: Using the History of Negotiation to Enhance our Ways of Disagreeing More Effectively.
- Samantha W. Ball, MPP, PhD – Dignity Index Research Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
- Presentation Title: Can People with Differing Political Ideologies Agree on Dignity and Contempt? Findings from the National Citizens Panel.
- Samantha Moore-Berg, PhD – Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Presentation Title: Disagreeing Better: How Misperceptions About Opponents Undermine Dialogue and How We Can Correct Them.
Event Details
- Date: November 11, 2025
- Time: 9:00 – 10:30 am
- Location: The Hinckley Institute, Hinckley GC 2018 (Location updated on 11.6.2025)
- Submit Registration Here
Please share this announcement with research faculty, staff, community partners, industry professionals, and other interested affiliates. Questions can be directed to Natalie McElroy.