Cultivating Conversation
Through the Cultivating Conversation initiative, students, faculty, and staff come together to develop skills and readiness for engaging constructively across differences. Rooted in the university’s commitment to the open exchange of ideas and views, academic freedom, and freedom of speech, and enhancing the academic experience at Yale, Cultivating Conversation contributes to a culture of collaborative excellence.
Whether you are a new or longstanding member of the Yale community,
we invite you to Be Open and Be Curious with Cultivating Conversation.
Free Expression at Yale
In 2025, Yale marks the 50th anniversary of the Woodward Report. While its language may sound dated, its concepts remain relevant to today’s generation, as shared by Yale students and alumni in this video series.
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Esha reflects on how “exposure to a range of ideas, even those which may be found disagreeable or offensive, is a critical component of education.” She addresses the value of cultivating conversation with those who hold diverse perspectives, which in turn challenges us to improve our society and world.
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Mira considers how free expression should “seek to enhance understanding” and how that growth often occurs outside of our comfort zones. She talks about the weight of words and notes that cultivating conversation requires acknowledging that “shock, hurt, and anger are not consequences to be weighed lightly.” Discomfort may not always result in agreement, but through it, we can achieve a more profound understanding of one another.
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Cara considers the Woodward Report’s assertion that “every member of the university has an obligation to permit free expression.” She reflects on how this shared responsibility is foundational for building a community where all voices can be heard and where freedom to express ideas allows for the joy of learning from others.
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Kyle considers the Woodward Report’s acknowledgment that free expression can be “unpleasant” in the moment but ultimately leads to growth. He talks about how cultivating conversation requires faith in the value of disagreement and how having the courage to speak up is critical for shaping long-term solutions.
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Olivia reflects on the university’s role in discovering and disseminating knowledge through the free interchange of ideas. She reflects on how cultivating conversation requires all of us to push the boundaries of our comfort zones and to absorb the broad perspectives of our peers in order to challenge and deepen our own understanding.
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Ben reflects on creating spaces “where every individual has the opportunity to speak and be heard.” He explores how the free exchange of ideas is not to be taken for granted, recalling the historical and present contexts we experience as members of the global community. Cultivating conversation means ensuring that both debate and disagreement serve intellectual development for all at Yale, in New Haven, and throughout the broader academic community.
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Mason talks about the call for “unfettered freedom” and “the right to think the unthinkable.” He shares the importance of challenging conventional wisdom and exploring ideas that push the boundaries of the status quo. As a student-athlete on a college campus comprising students from diverse backgrounds, he reflects on how shared experiences and hardships, paired with attentive listening, reveal that we have more in common than we might think.
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Osaru considers how cultivating conversation means engaging with opposing views in an environment free from harassment or intimidation. She emphasizes that mutual respect and tolerance are essential for fostering dialogue and outcomes that benefit the broader community.
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Andrew addresses how the university’s commitment to free expression depends on the participation of every member of the Yale community and that “no member has a right to prevent such expression.” He considers how confronting difficult truths about our society requires individual courage and collective commitment. He also advocates for protecting each other’s right to speak up and support the values of building community, communicating through art, and providing hope for a better future.
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Lihao considers the Woodward Report’s acknowledgment that supporting free expression means “taking a chance” on difficult conversations, including conversations that challenge the varied biases we carry based on our experiences. He talks about how focusing on the vulnerability of human connection helps cultivate conversation, even when immediate outcomes feel uncertain.
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David shares how freedom of expression wasn’t always permitted during his formative years. He contrasts that experience with his current environment, where “ideas can be freely exchanged and critically examined.” He addresses how encouraging debate and disagreement isn't just permissible on campus; rather, it is essential for the intellectual development of students throughout the Yale community.
Esha Bolar
Cultivating Conversation:
Learning Through Disagreement
Esha reflects on how “exposure to a range of ideas, even those which may be found disagreeable or offensive, is a critical component of education.” She addresses the value of cultivating conversation with those who hold diverse perspectives, which in turn challenges us to improve our society and world.