Opportunities and Resources

The UNC System Common Ground Collaborative gives faculty multiple ways to strengthen their teaching, connect with colleagues, engage in scholarly work, and access resources related to dialogue, discourse, and debate.

Course Development and Enhancement

More than 100 faculty members representing all 17 UNC System institutions are developing new courses and enhancing existing courses through Common Ground.

Faculty receiving course enhancement stipends are incorporating dialogue, discourse, and debate into existing courses being taught during Fall 2026 and documenting their approaches and outcomes. Faculty receiving new course development stipends are developing courses that will be taught during the 2027 calendar year.

Applications for the 2026-27 funded course cohort have closed. Information about future funding opportunities will be posted here as it becomes available.

Resources

Perspectives Blended Learning Program

All UNC System faculty have access to the Perspectives Blended Learning Program, provided by the Constructive Dialogue Institute. Perspectives offers resources and learning activities designed to help faculty incorporate dialogue and discourse into academic settings.

Through Common Ground, these resources are also available to 500 students at participating institutions, including North Carolina Central University, UNC Asheville, UNC Charlotte, UNC School of the Arts, UNC Wilmington, Western Carolina University, and Winston-Salem State University.

Additional Resources

• College Debates & Discourse Alliance offers a curricular toolkit, as well as guide sheets and debate chair training.
• Constructive Dialogue Institute has downloadable guides, free webinars, and more on their website.
• More Like US also offers useful resources for faculty.

Professional Development and Faculty Community

Common Ground provides ongoing opportunities for faculty to learn from colleagues, share teaching practices, and explore approaches to dialogue and discourse across disciplines, including webinars and an annual convening.

Faculty and Student Fellowships

Common Ground’s partnerships create additional opportunities for faculty and students to participate in dialogue and discourse in the classroom and beyond.

ICDC-NC Faculty Fellowship

ICDC-NC is the UNC System branch of a national study examining an approach that teaches critical thinking and civil discourse together. In 2026 and 2027, faculty fellows at all 17 UNC System institutions are teaching new or existing courses using ICDC materials with support from Common Ground.

ICDC Fellowship

All UNC System faculty are eligible to apply for a national ICDC Fellowship, which provides support for faculty participating in the Integrating Critical Thinking and Civil Discourse Initiative. Fellows receive:

• A $1,000 travel stipend to attend the June 2027 workshop at UNC-Chapel Hill
• Free access to Thinker and Sway for fellows and their students
• Orientation and ongoing support throughout the year

Application period: November 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027 | Workshop: June 14–17, 2027, at UNC-Chapel Hill | Questions: info@icdcusa.com.

UNC School of the Arts
Bethany Kibler, Faculty
Stephen Olusemire, Student
Shelby Smith, Student

UNC Wilmington
Roger Cadena, Faculty
Nadine Gibson, Faculty
McKenna Beard, Student
Sam Halbrecht, Student

Western Carolina University
Sean Mulholland, Faculty
Lazarus White, Student

Winston-Salem State University
Zagro Madjd-Sadjadi, Faculty
Jayden Patterson, Student
Ashlynn Scott, Student