Innovating Civil Discourse: An Instructional Design Hackathon

Dennis F. Thompson Seminar Room,
5th floor, Suite 520N
Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics
124 Mt Auburn St.
Cambridge
Fri., Oct. 2 – Sun., Oct. 4, 2026



How can we help people overcome the tendency to abandon civil discourse practices in a heated conversation, or to abandon the conversation altogether? This hackathon invites undergraduates, graduate students and young scholars from Boston area colleges and universities to design a game that motivates people to use civil discourse skills in everyday life. The term "game" is used loosely, in the hope that participants will draw on the world of play and games for inspiration, making exercises and experiences that are engaging, educational, and fun. We’ll also ask participants to share how their game can be used as a learning tool, as part of a lesson plan or a classroom resource.

Gazette Classification: Special Events
Organization/Sponsor: Harvard University, Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics
Contact Info: Maxine Gill, [email protected]
Harvard Key Required: No
More info: www.ethics.harvard.edu…