Group of students in discussion on Hamilton lawn.

Listening Tables Core Student Fellowship

Exploring student-led formats to navigate conflicts and polarizing issues with mutual respect and empathy.

The Trust Collaboratory and the Center for the Core Curriculum at Columbia University are accepting applications from students currently enrolled in Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization for fellowships to lead Listening Tables in the spring 2025 semester.

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Background

Since its inception in the fall 2024 semester, the Trust Collaboratory’s Listening Tables initiative has provided an alternative format for the Columbia community to navigate conflicts with mutual respect and empathy by discussing difficult and deeply polarizing issues such as the war in Gaza and the 2024 Presidential election. As students enter into the dialogue, they participate in an important democratic exercise: They form an understanding of the differences in opinion, experience, and identity in our midst, and they begin to build trust and community with other participants who may hold starkly opposing views. 

In Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization, students encounter perspectives and experiences different from their own through the discussion of literary and philosophical texts. These courses foster community and provide spaces for students to practice the skills and habits needed for participation in civic life.

 

Fellowship activities

The Listening Tables Core Student Fellowship Program will give students the opportunity to host Listening Tables and shape the direction of the project by experimenting with new formats and locations in the spring 2025 semester. Fellows will participate in workshops led by faculty, where they will receive training in conflict resolution and reflect on ideas from their Core classes. Throughout the project, Fellows will use photovoice, combining visual records and narrative to document their experiences. At the end of the semester, they will share their work and recommendations for future Listening Tables at a mini-conference.

Students selected for this program will receive a stipend of $750.

 

Application Process & Timeline

Students who are interested in applying for this Fellowship are asked to complete this form by Monday, February 3, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

  • February 3 — Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
  • Week of February 10— Notification of decisions
  • Week of February 17— First meeting of Student Fellows