Past Events Archive

On behalf of the Dialogue Michigan planning team, we invite U-M faculty and staff to join us for our next event, where we will explore a practical tool for this civic work.

Democratic engagement requires us to move beyond debate and toward dialogue. Circle processes provide a structured way to do exactly that and to be in community. Rooted in First Nation and Indigenous peacemaking practices, these processes create an egalitarian space where:
- Every voice is centered: The use of a talking piece ensures that all participants have the space to be heard without interruption.
- Power is shared: The circular structure removes traditional hierarchies, encouraging collective responsibility and transparency.
- Community is restored: It offers a framework for navigating conflict and making decisions that reflect the needs of the whole, rather than just the majority.

This workshop will be interactive, providing you with the opportunity to experience a circle firsthand and learn how to bring these restorative practices into your work and community spaces.

Registration required: https://sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/p/track/16802

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIALOGUE MICHIGAN
https://myumi.ch/dialogue

Too often Detroit has been viewed as a site of social and economic problems, and not as a source of solutions or strategies for the future. With partners at Bridge Detroit, the University of Michigan Detroit Center is hosting a series of public panel discussions exploring the struggles and achievements of local grassroots movements who have confronted the challenges of the 21st century–from food deserts and environmental racism to gentrification and violence–with the grit and spirit of innovation that defines the spirit of the Motor City. Come join the conversation, and learn the lessons that Detroit has to teach the nation and the world

First, I will discuss Plurals, a system that uses multi-agent deliberation to simulate socially diverse ensembles rather than a single neutral model output. Plurals provides a flexible framework for configuring agents, interaction structures, and moderation strategies inspired by deliberative democracy. Across multiple case studies and experiments, we show that simulated social ensembles can produce outputs that better resonate with real audiences than standard single-model generation.

Second, I will introduce an ongoing line of work that explores AI-assisted narrative autocompletion as a tool for reducing psychological distance to complex societal issues. This work uses interactive, personalized narratives co-written with users to help people imagine how distant or abstract events could plausibly unfold in their own lives.

Taken together, these projects illustrate two complementary strategies for AI in society: one that emphasizes pluralistic deliberation across perspectives, and another that leverages narrative imagination to connect individual experience with collective outcomes.

The evening will include special performances from SMTD Students and The Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit, dialogue in small groups, and free dinner for all participants.

This event is in partnership with The SMTD Student Success Office, U-M Dearborn, U-M Flint, The Arts Initiative, USA at 250, The SMTD EXCEL Lab, and The Program on Intergroup Relations.This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan and the U.S. at 250 Grant Program.

Each session offers a space to pause, sort out what’s happening, and engage in thoughtful, civil discussion with peers. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your perspective—no preparation required.

Josh Pasek is Professor of Communication & Media and Political Science, Faculty Associate at the Center for Political Studies, Institute for Social Research, and Associate Director of the Michigan Institute for Data Science at the University of Michigan

“The Pathways to Civic Engagement and Community Change” is a framework that describes a range of possibilities by which you can exercise your own power to create a better world, including direct service, community organizing, policy-making, community-engaged research, social entrepreneurialism, and philanthropy. These pathways intersect and overlap, demonstrating the interdependent nature of working toward the common good. At the end of this workshop you’ll be better able to assess what kinds of opportunities are the best match with your personality, talents, and passions. Whether you are considering what extracurriculars to get involved with, or making choices about graduate school and careers, the Pathways workshop can help guide you the next steps in your social justice journey.

For students who are:

Beginning to explore ways to engage with communities

Making decisions about what classes to take

Trying to choose extracurricular activities

Interested in pursuing a career in community engagement or social impact

https://sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/track/event/session/102937

With illiberal and autocratic leaders around the world offering more generous welfare policies to consolidate their power, do we need to rethink the relationships between democracy, authoritarianism, and welfare? Experts on Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and Asia tackle this topic from different world-regions and multiple analytical perspectives.

Cosponsored by the Open Society Foundations and the Central European University (CEU) Democracy Institute.

Atten in person or via Zoom. Zoom registration at https://myumi.ch/8qVGq.

If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at [email protected]. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.

Experts on Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and Asia tackle this topic from different world-regions and multiple analytical perspectives.

The talk will also explore ways we can practice aligning our actions with our values to implement policy more effectively.

An informal art activity will take place in the Great Hall during the reception for those who would like to participate.

The event is co-sponsored by the Initiative for Democracy and Civic Empowerment and the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA). 

Lunch from Jerusalem Garden provided.

About the speaker

Holly Bass is an award-winning, socially-engaged artist working across multiple disciplines including dance, theater, visual art and writing. She has collaborated with governmental agencies, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations and academic communities to create innovative artistic experiences that foster connection among groups of strangers. Her artwork can be found in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. She was a founding member of DC WritersCorps which sent her into schools, community centers and women's shelters to teach poetry workshops. She continues to travel the country and the world, using the arts to build community and transform the social culture of classrooms, workplaces and public spaces.