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About the LISTENING TABLES

Columbia University has been torn by deep divisions in recent years between vital political activism and the need for the university to continue its regular activities in research and learning. There are ongoing discussions on campus about what it means to have empathy for others—and their feelings when confronted with various actions, symbols, and words. People in our community think differently about how far to extend the principle that speech and conduct should avoid what others experience as threatening and hurtful. Discovering this point—or just understanding the myriad points of view and experiences among us—can only be done through face-to-face dialogue. Listening is vital to such conversation. It opens up a space where curiosity about another way of thinking can take the fore, where we can genuinely listen to each other’s point of view, and where discomfort can be explored with respect and an open mind.

A diverse group of Columbia faculty, postdocs, and students at the Trust Collaboratory is involved the Listening Tables program. The tables are meant to generate connection and understanding, as well as a reservoir of feedback and new ideas around both difficult topics. We are hopeful that such a vision of true listening across significant differences can work. It will take us all working together and compromising. The University must always be a place where we can imagine something better than the world we find before us. In this, we believe Columbia has the capacity to be a model where even the hardest problems can be discussed, where minds can meet, and people can grow, and where community can be co-created.

Read our Op-Ed

How to Participate in a Session

Columbia faculty, administrators, campus leaders, and students typically volunteer to host our tables as neutral facilitators. The conversations always vary. Food will be provided, and everyone is welcome to join. Look for Listening Tables in different spots on campus; you will recognize them by their purple tablecloths. Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend registering in advance.

Registrations are hosted on our Luma sign-up portal. Click below to sign up for a session!

Registration

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Hosts typically facilitate a 60-minute session to create a space where faculty, students, staff, and other members of the Columbia community can hear from others who may hold different opinions and perspectives. Hosts enable participants to hear what is uncomfortable to hear without feeling threatened and to put themselves in the other’s shoes without feeling censored. To help facilitate a conversation, we have prepared a hosting guide (click below).

If you wish to host a table, please email us.

How to Host a Conversation

Download Host Guide

Sign Up to Host

Our Dialogue PROGRAMS

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Our Work in the MEDIA

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Meet the TEAM

The Listening Tables are sustained by a dedicated team of Columbia faculty, postdocs, and students. Our team members come from different schools, disciplines, countries, faiths, and life experiences, and hold different roles within the university. Their ideas, energy, time, and heart make this project possible.

Do you want to get involved? Click below to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Contact Team

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Gil Eyal
Director, Trust Collaboratory

Cristian Capotescu
Associate Director, Trust Collaboratory

Asya Tsaturyan
Postdoctoral Scholar

Gurtej “TJ” Gill
Student Fellow (School of Law)

Jenny Fondren
Community Outreach Coordinator

Zane Glassock
Student Fellow (Columbia College)

Justin Kiel
Student Fellow (Columbia College)

Svava Valfells
Student Fellow (Columbia College)

Kratima Divakar
Student Fellow (SIPA)

Beck Sappington
Student Fellow (Columbia College)

Program Report 2024-25

The Listening Tables started in late summer 2024 as an experiment to bring members of Columbia’s community into conversation with one another. Since then, the tables have grown into more than 150 sessions that engaged close to 2000 participants.

Our report presents the many hands that made this project possible and highlights the lessons we learned from our work. We also have some fun facts for you: who hosted the most tables or who attended the most sessions. In addition, we’ve included bonus material from our inaugural Listening Tables Core Fellowship Program, run in collaboration with the Columbia Core Curriculum and Earl Hall.

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