In an article for The Chronicle about the growing focus on civil discourse in higher education, Professor and POLIS Director Abdullah Antepli emphasized that meaningful dialogue requires engaging deeply with opposing views, not weakening one’s convictions. He noted, “If you want to lower the temperature [and] levels of polarization, our long-term solution starts in the classroom,” pointing to education as the foundation for lasting change. The article explores Duke’s initiatives, such as the Civil Discourse Project and the Provost’s Initiative on Free Inquiry, launched in response to national debates around academic freedom and ideological diversity. Antepli and other faculty stressed the importance of more active, student-centered engagement. He underscored that a culture of civil discourse must be a shared, university-wide commitment.
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