UNC System Common Ground Collaborative Convening
UNC System Common Ground Collaborative
The UNC System Common Ground Collaborative Convening represents an important first step in building a Systemwide network of faculty engaged in dialogue-based teaching and learning. By bringing together educators from across the UNC System, the convening will help foster collaboration, highlight innovative instructional approaches, and support the ongoing development of shared teaching resources and scholarship.
2026 UNC System Common Ground Collaborative Convening
May 14, 2026 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The UNC System Common Ground Collaborative will host its inaugural convening on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at UNC Charlotte’s Popp Martin Student Union. This event will bring UNC System faculty and staff together to share expertise, explore dialogue-based teaching practices, and begin building an interinstitutional community of practice focused on strengthening students’ communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills.
Participation and Presentations
Faculty and staff who wish to attend or present at the convening should coordinate their participation through their institutional provost’s office. Note: Participation in the convening is not required to apply for Common Ground course enhancement or course development stipends.
Coming Soon: Call for Presentations
A call for presentations will be released in mid-March 2026. Faculty are encouraged to share examples of course design, instructional strategies, or research related to dialogue, discourse, and debate in disciplinary contexts.
Travel and Accommodation Support
To support equitable participation across the UNC System, overnight accommodations will be provided for up to five faculty participants from institutions located more than 175 miles from Charlotte. Eligible institutions include:
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- Appalachian State University
- East Carolina University
- Elizabeth City State University
- University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Western Carolina University
Faculty interested in receiving accommodation support should coordinate with their provost’s office, which will assist with participation confirmation and travel arrangements.