What IF… Collaborative Discussion Skills Could Strengthen Democracy?
Highlights from Our Recent Collaborative Discussion Fellows Gathering
Dear friends,
What IF… collaborative discussion skills could strengthen democracy?
What IF… we practiced collaborative discussion skills in classrooms, communities, and workplaces?
What IF… we partnered with a broad range of civic educators, practitioners, and institutions to advance collaborative discussion skills and mindsets?
On May 15th the Interactivity Foundation team gathered with our Collaborative Discussion Fellows in Newark, Delaware to explore how we can continue to advance the Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP). This was the second in-person gathering of fellows this year thanks to the generous hospitality of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Ithaca Initiative at the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration, University of Delaware.
Dr. Timothy Shaffer, SNF Chair of Civil Discourse and Director of the SNF Ithaca Initiative, reflected on our partnership,
“We have hosted two gatherings of IF Fellows on our campus this year. Our collaboration is a perfect example of how we’re growing our reach. Being a host and partner to the Interactivity Foundation shows how we can have a greater impact when we work together.”
Keep reading to learn more about our Collaborative Discussion Project, opportunities to work with IF, and other upcoming events.
At the Interactivity Foundation, we abbreviate our name as IF to signal democratic possibility. “What IF…” is our foundational question — one that opens imagination and invites experimentation. Each Wednesday, we offer a bold question and discussion resources designed to expand collective possibility through our What IF Wednesday newsletter.
If you haven’t already, we invite you to subscribe to What IF Wednesday — and share it with a friend. Do you have a topic, question, or resource you would like to share? We’d love to include it in a future newsletter.
What is the Collaborative Discussion Project?
The Collaborative Discussion Project is a flagship initiative of the Interactivity Foundation. It is designed to advance the collaborative discussion skills and mindsets that we need to work together in classrooms, communities, and workplaces. We call this Collaborative Intelligence (CQ) and believe it is essential for the future.
At the core of this project is the belief that we think better when we think together, but under the right conditions. Some of those conditions include coming to the table with the necessary collaborative discussion skills and mindsets. We have identified 17 traits that make up Collaborative Intelligence (CQ) and are advanced through our curriculum.
The project has three major components
The free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit, which includes 50+ ready-to-use activities or lesson plans designed to advance collaborative discussion skills and mindsets. The toolkit is organized into five modules: introduction, creative, critical, culturally responsive, and civic collaborative discussion skills. Users can focus on one module or explore the toolkit around as they like. Each activity advances a particular CQ trait.
Coach Trainings, which are offered in-person or online. These are a deep dive into facilitating toolkit activities. Certified coaches can also offer certificate programs in collaborative discussion in their classrooms, communities, or workplaces. To date, IF has certified over 200 coaches and awarded over 1000 certificates in collaborative discussion. Register now for our next coach training.
Community of Practice of civic practitioners and educators who are passionate about advancing collaborative discussion skills. Our community includes curriculum contributors, coaches, trainers, fellows, and workshop attendees. Join one of our monthly webinars to learn more.
Building the Future of Collaborative Discussion
Our recent fellowship gathering focused on four goals
Building stronger connections between fellows.
Deepening understanding of individual fellows’ projects and working together to advance these projects through the summer.
Testing new Collaborative Discussion Toolkit activities, and gathering necessary feedback for revision. All activities are practice-based and tested in classrooms or communities before being published in the toolkit.
Exploring the future of collaborative discussion skill building with our fellows serving as our “brain trust.”
This year, fellows are working together to design and execute their own projects. Some projects are focused on expanding the collaborative discussion toolkit. For example,
Don Waisanen, Professor of Communications and Leadership at Baruch College, CUNY and author of Improv for Democracy, is taking the lead on advancing Module Two of the CDP Toolkit: Creative Collaborative Discussion Skills. He will be adding new activities and rolling out new workshops to demonstrate!
Nick Longo, Inaugural Director of the Rutgers Democracy Lab and author of Why Community Matters: Connecting Education with Civic Life will partner with Kim Allonce, Executive Director of Ayiti Civique Lab. Together, they plan to update and expand Module Five of the CDP Toolkit: Civic Collaborative Discussion Skills.
Other fellows are working together to design and offer new coach trainings, workshops, and certificate programs. For example,
Leila Brammer, Director of Curriculum at the University of Chicago’s Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, is a leader in democratic pedagogy, assessment design, and institutional implementation. She is working with IF to develop and deliver a specifically tailored coach training for high school educators.
Kara Dillard, Executive Director of James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, is designing a new Collaborative Discussion Certificate Program that can be delivered to the new JMU residential and civic life community.
Lydia Smith, Associate Director of Student Engagement at the Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation, and Dialogue at Emory University, has offered more certificate programs than any other CDP Coach. She is sharing her expertise by creating an online workshop for coaches to help them deliver their own certificate programs. Her workshop will launch later this fall on our new IF Academy platform.
These are just a few of the projects that our fellows will launch this year. We will continue to share the work of our other fellows throughout the year. You can also watch fellows describe their own projects on our Interactivity Foundation YouTube channel.
Like all IF programs, this fellowship gathering was very lively and hands-on. We don’t believe in lecturing or talking at people. If you would like to learn more about how we organize trainings, workshops, and events, please reach out to us. You can also learn more about how we used collaborative discussion activities in our own fellowship gathering. We offer a detailed description in our last CDP Newsletter. Click here to learn more about the specific activities and itinerary of our fellowship gathering. Subscribe to the CDP Newsletter to receive a new toolkit activity every Monday morning.
We are Hiring! CDP Program Coordinator
Want to join the Collaborative Discussion Team? We are hiring a Program Coordinator! For full consideration, please apply by midnight EDT on June 7, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and will remain open until filled.
This is a full-time, remote position based within the United States. Some travel is expected. See full job description for details.
Upcoming Events
Tonight at 8 PM Eastern! Register now for a National Issues Forum Institute Workshop: How to Talk About Values with Nuance, facilitated by Martin Carcasson. This free 1-hour workshop will explain why talking better about our values is critical for the future of democracy. Participants will receive resources to host their own discussion event.
Register for a monthly info webinar to learn more about upcoming events and our free resource library of facilitation plans, discussion guides, innovative tools, and collaborative discussion toolkit!
Coming soon! Apply to become an IF Discussion Club Host. Applications open next week. $1,000 stipend support.
Do you have ideas for a What IF… newsletter? Do you have discussion resources, events, or programs that you would like us to share? Please reach out to our Director of Communications, Scott Vogel, scott@interactivityfoundation.org
If you like this newsletter, please share it with a friend.
Thanks,
Shannon Hartman, President of the Interactivity Foundation