DDNRC 2025 Conference
The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue During Polarized Times
EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH MAY 1ST!
Come join us for our 2025 conference, The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue During Polarized Times from Monday June 30th- Wednesday July 2nd!
Hosted by Washington University in St. Louis located in St. Louis, Missouri!
This year’s 2025 DDNRC conference theme is The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue in Polarized Times
We are living in an age of increasing polarization and anger in our public discourse often reinforces hostile modes of interaction with people who hold different viewpoints. This polarization has impacted our ability to work within and between communities. Dialogues help deepen understanding of personal, group and intergroup relationship issues. Many people across the nation and world are wrestling with questions about how to engage with others who do not share the same values and/or identities and feel helpless around authentic engagement when we can’t even agree on basic facts for an informed dialogue. Further, many wrestle with how we can support respectful, transformative dialogue in face-to-face meetings, online contexts, and in physical and virtual classrooms.
Lodging
FOR GUARANTEED, DISCOUNTED LODGING, BOOK BY MAY 15TH!
For discounted lodging rates and an easy walk to DDNRC conference events, please consider booking a room at Washington University’s historic Charles F. Knight Executive Education and Conference Center. The Knight Center is located on the university’s Danforth Campus and is a fifteen-minute walk from St. Louis’ Forest Park.
Considering extending your stay? Call the Knight Center to receive additional discounted rates for evenings following the conclusion of the conference.
Driving or renting a car? On-campus parking rates are $9 a day. Our team at WashU has preordered validation and parking codes for all conference attendees, check back in for more information!
Scheduling & Itinerary
Check back in for live updates regarding specific workshop/presentation scheduling!
Working Itinerary:
Monday June 30th
12pm: Registration Opens
12:30pm-4:30pm: Pre-Conference Workshop
5pm-6:30pm: Conference Social for All Attendees
Tuesday July 1
8:30am-5:30pm: Workshops/Presentations
Wednesday July 2
9am-4:30pm: Workshops/Presentations
Arriving in St. Louis early? Check out our registration page to sign up for our pre-conference workshop!
Using Dialogue in Professional Spaces:
Join this interactive pre-conference workshop designed to strengthen your dialogue skills and advance transformative change in higher education. Tailored for professionals committed to justice, equity, and sustainability, this session equips you with practical tools to navigate challenging conversations, foster collaboration, and create inclusive spaces. Together, we’ll explore how dialogue can be a powerful catalyst for meaningful institutional and societal impact.
