Pitt’s All Angles program was featured in an Institute for Citizens and Scholars case study

All Angles, a speaker and discussion series from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics, was featured in an Institute for Citizens and Scholars (C&S) case study as an example of how universities can foster civic discourse among students and across campus.

The case study was published as part of Campuswide Immersion, a College Presidents for Civic Preparedness initiative — and key Plan for Pitt outcome — that aims to create campus cultures where every student feels empowered to engage in discourse, navigate information critically and collaborate to solve shared challenges.

The series brings globally recognized scholars to Pitt’s campus to speak to students and answer questions on topics that span the gamut of governance — from foreign policy to the constitution and free speech. Each of the moderated discussions, offered three to four times each year, attracts 200-300 attendees. Most All Angles events are exclusive to students, who are also given the opportunity to ask questions during each event’s unscripted Q&A.

[Read more on Pitt’s commitment to civic discourse.]

“It’s a shining moment in these programs,” said Institute of Politics Director Samantha Balbier, “that we have students who are unafraid to ask the questions that other people don’t ask.”

Launched in 2022, All Angles was shaped with feedback from more than 1,300 students. Balbier said those insights were critical to establishing several key practices for events designed to encourage dialogue: establishing guiding principles that reinforce respect for individuals; showing students why engaging across difference matters; creating a space exclusively for students and representing ideological diversity; and designing something students want to join.

“All Angles has long been a valued space for dialogue across difference at Pitt,” said Carissa Slotterback, dean of the School of Public and International Affairs, who has played a critical role in advancing Pitt’s partnership with C&S. “As we launched and continue our work on civic discourse work at the University, we are inspired by this model of student engagement and thrilled to highlight this great work to broader audiences.”

Students continue to inform All Angles programming through surveys that help the Institute of Politics team prioritize discussions on issues that affect all Pitt students — including those on the University’s regional campuses — and reflect the interests of students across the political spectrum.

“The case studies are meant to assist institutes of higher education learn from each other about what works and doesn’t work,” Balbier said. “How to promote, support and understand the value of civil discourse and productive conversations — and what these skills offer in the workforce and throughout society.”

Photography by Tom Altany