University of Wisconsin–Madison
Deliberation Dinners, University of Wisconsin-Madison, The Discussion Project

An initiative that gives undergraduates with diverse perspectives an opportunity to deliberate on important political issues.

Bringing together UW–Madison undergraduates

The Deliberation Dinners provide UW–Madison undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in a setting that exposes them to multiple perspectives and competing ideas.

Begun by former School of Education Dean Diana Hess, this initiative is part of The Wisconsin Exchange, which aims to enhance viewpoint diversity across campus, promote vigorous discourse and debate, and intensify our campus culture of civil dialogue among people from many backgrounds, viewpoints, identities, religions, political perspectives, and ideas.

In the 2026–2027 academic year, students will participate in small groups with a trained facilitator for six dinners.

A group of students sitting at a table in a large room with other tables with groups. One student is smiling and looking at another student.

How can I get involved?

Undergraduates who have not participated in the past and will be on campus for both semesters in the 2026-2027 academic year will be invited to apply at the beginning of the fall semester. Although application does not guarantee selection, 375 undergraduates will be enrolled for the academic year.

A notepad with the Deliberation Dinner logo on it is on a table with other papers, with a close up of a hand that is using a highlighter.

Last Year’s Topics

  • Should marijuana be legalized in Wisconsin?
  • Should U.S. citizens be required to vote in elections?
  • What policy should Wisconsin adopt regarding school vouchers?
  • Should Wisconsin tighten its gun restrictions?
  • What abortion policies should we have in Wisconsin?
  • Should the U.S. change it’s immigration criteria?

How does it work?

Dinners are held on the UW–Madison campus in October, November, December, January, February, and March. Beginning with a buffet dinner, the evening flows into a warm-up discussion, a deliberation centered around one specific topic per event, and ends with a debrief of process and ideas. On students’ way out the door, they are asked to complete a survey to help Deliberation Dinners to continue improving.

Each table group of 10 students is matched with one UW–Madison faculty or academic staff member who facilitates the discussions. All facilitators have received specialized training in discussion pedagogy through our sister project, The Discussion Project.

A group of students sitting at a table in a large room with other tables with groups. One student at the table is talking.

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