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Sustained Discussion Program

The Sustained Discussions Program (SDP) brings together a select group of Visiting Fellows to lead independent, exploratory discussion projects focused on under-examined areas of public concern. Each project produces new discussion tools designed to help others have meaningful conversations.

Our Impact

Sustained Discussion Projects

Discussion Participants

Facilitation Plans and Tools

Sustained Discussion Projects 2024-2025

January 6, 2025

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Political Economies: Ghislain Irakoze’s Fellowship

As industries race to embrace artificial intelligence, implications for emerging...

November 4, 2024

Nomadismo Digital y Pertenencia Futura

Un Proyecto de Discusión Sostenida (2024-2025) Dirigido por Laura May PhD,...

October 31, 2024

Rethinking Punishment: Pratyush Rawal on Cancel Culture

Pratyush Rawal’s interest in punitive cultures stems from personal experiences...

October 23, 2024

Reimagining Education: Heather van Benthuysen’s Fellowship on Belonging in Schools

For nearly 25 years, Heather van Benthuysen has been focused...

October 17, 2024

Exploring Death & Beyond: Jack Crittenden’s Fellowship on Life After Death

Jack Crittenden, a Professor Emeritus of Political Theory, is no...

October 16, 2024

Death and the Possibilities of Life After

A Sustained Discussion Project (2024-2025) Led by SDP Visiting Fellow, Jack...

Sustained Discussion Projects

From Boys to Men: The Future of Masculinity

As disconnection and loneliness grow, how are boys and young men being left behind? How does their alienation impact our society? How might our views of masculinity exasperate or mediate these trends? This project explores our cultural rites of passages and how new approaches to masculine development might foster a more inclusive society.

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Future of Citizenship

What will citizenship of the future look like? What will it mean to be a citizen or exercise citizenship? What will bind us together and how will these bonds be developed? Can we imagine a post-citizenship world? This project explores these questions by starting from the perspectives of those historically marginalized by the practices, structures, and institutions that define citizenship today.

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Death & the Possibilities of Life Beyond

Death is an evitable part of life and, yet, most people avoid talking or even thinking about it. What if we had a more robust practice of interrogating our understanding of death? How might we live, organize, and govern differently? This project takes on the taboo topic of death and the possibilities of life after death, not through religion, but by reviewing scientific evidence to support deeper discussion.

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Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Political Economies

AI is revolutionizing the 21st century. As governments and industries race to adopt AI, we must also move with urgency to better anticipate the ethical, political, economic, and social implications of this technology—especially as it pertains to access and application in the global south. This project takes seriously the potential threats of AI from the perspective of emerging economies and peoples in East Africa.

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Moving Beyond Punitive Cultures

How is our culture shaped by punitive assumptions and mindsets? How have our institutions, economies, and even personal narratives normalized practices designed to punish, ban, cancel, or shame? How might we imagine life beyond punishment? And would we want it? This project critically examines the advantages and disadvantages of punitive cultures and offers an opportunity to imagine beyond it.

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Imagining an Educational System for All

What does it mean to belong in our educational system? What changes and practical strategies can create educational environments that nurture belonging, foster inclusive decision-making, and ultimately strengthen the fabric of our democracy? This project offers an opportunity for us to boldly imagine new educational systems designed to serve all students and members of our communities.

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Digital Nomadism & Future Belonging / Nomadismo Digital y Pertenencia Futura

The rise of digital nomads and the sharing economy create challenges and opportunities for communities worldwide. How do they change economies, housing, governance, and community cohesion? This project explores clashes and convergence between transient, online, and local populations, and the broader implications of technology-driven mobility.

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El auge de los nómadas digitales y la economía compartida plantea desafíos y oportunidades para las comunidades urbanas en todo el mundo. ¿Cómo transforman las economías, la vivienda, la gobernanza y la cohesión comunitaria? Este proyecto explora los conflictos y convergencias entre poblaciones transitorias, en línea y locales, y las implicaciones más amplias de la movilidad impulsada por la tecnología.

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Apply to become a Sustained Discussion Visting Fellow

Facilitate discussions on emerging issues of societal concern and create discussion resources that can be shared with others.

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Upcoming Sustained Discussions Events

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Innovative Discussion Resources

Sustained Discussion projects will produce a wide range of innovative resources to support exploratory discussions in your community. These resources will be packaged as ready-to-use discussion toolboxes.