Dynamic Discussions Featured Projects

Dynamic Discussions Featured Projects

Higher education has an important role in helping students and society at-large be critical thinkers who can approach dialogue and discourse from a position of scholarship and fact rather than bias and bigotry. This page highlights the important work of UC Davis faculty, staff, and students addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias and bigotry.
Courses Events
Dynamic Discussions is funded through the Office of the President to address and combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias, bigotry, and discrimination.

The initiative emerged from a University of California Office of the President funding initiative supporting projects across multiple UC campuses focused on addressing bias, bigotry, and the challenges of engaging across difference. While the original funding period has concluded, UC Davis continues to expand this work through evolving programming, resources, courses, workshops, facilitated dialogue opportunities, and engagement tools.

This hub will continue to grow as a space for sharing ideas, stories, and opportunities that encourage meaningful connection, reflection, and dialogue across the UC Davis community and beyond.

The projects and perspectives featured throughout this hub reflect the work of individual contributors, campus partners, and sponsoring units and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, UC Davis, or the Chancellor.

Dynamic Discussions News

Resources for Ramadan

  • by Inclusive Excellence Staff
In support of our patients, faculty, employees, students, and community members we would like to share the following resources for awareness, care, and guidance around accommodations to consider when hosting gatherings and/or meetings where food is provided during upcoming observances.
Two women wearing UC Davis Arboretum t-shirts each raise one arm to show strength. Their other arm is linked around the other person's waist. in corner of image is spiral of colors with Celebrating 35 years over a golden watercolor graphic.

UC Davis Honors 35 Years of the Principles of Community

  • by Sarah Colwell
Thirty-five years ago, a community of UC Davis students came together to define a shared set of values related to a sense of belonging and respect that would shape the university’s future. What started as a grassroots movement in Student Housing has since grown into a core part of UC Davis’ identity, culture and everyday interactions.
Dynamo logo. Ending unequal treatment. Headshot photos of Ruth Shims, Alice Popejoy, Erik Fernandez y Garcia and Carolina Reyes.

UC Davis Experts Reflect on Two Decades of Health Equity

  • by Sarah Colwell
The panel of experts explored the findings of the newly released "Ending Unequal Treatment: Strategies to Achieve Equitable Health Care and Optimal Health for All" report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The overarching focus of this virtual event—health equity and justice—is the theme of this year’s Campus Community Book Project.

Resources for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

  • by The Multicultural Calendar
In support of our patients, faculty, employees, students, and community members we would like to share the following resources for awareness, care, and guidance around accommodations to consider when hosting gatherings and/or meetings where food is provided during upcoming observances.
Different skin toned hands overlap each other in a circle with the words "Respect, Equity, Learning and Community" over the top.

Principles of Community: New Translations Added

  • by Marisa Davidson
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is pleased to announce the release of additional translations for the UC Davis Principles of Community in the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Punjabi, Tagalog and Ukranian.
A collage of book covers featuring various titles and authors related to history and culture.

In Support of our Jewish Community 2023-24 Year In Review

  • by Laura M Cerruti

Antisemitism is a persistent and evolving form of hatred that affects Jewish communities worldwide — and it is not absent from university campuses, including UC Davis. Acknowledging this reality is essential to addressing it. UC Davis is committed to fostering an environment where Jewish students, staff and faculty feel safe, respected and able to express their identity and culture without fear of discrimination or harassment.

 

Weathering book cover showing in center, framed on either side by stacks of other books

‘Weathering’ is New Book Project Title on Health Equity

  • by Cody Kitaura
The next book project title is Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society, by Arline T. Geronimus, a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. It is part of this year’s theme, health equity and justice, and will guide discussions, lectures and other events, culminating in a campus visit by the author on March 5.
DEI_Fall_Harvest_2022_11_18FG_F349028.jpg

Principles of Community Week: Celebrating A Pioneer in Health Equity – Dr. Jann Murray-García

  • by Marisa Davidson
During February 12–16, the UC Davis campuses in Davis and Sacramento celebrated Principles of Community Week — a time spent reflecting on the shared aspiration to advance respect, equity, learning and community. The Principles team was delighted to highlight Dr. Jann Murray-García of UC Davis Health during this year's celebration. Murray-García’s inspirational career embodies the principles and its core values.
Asian man with glasses and a grey sports coat, folds arms and looks over his shoulder at the camera.

Building Bridges Through Compassion

Dr. Hendry Ton shares expert insights on fostering connection and psychological safety during polarizing times.

Discover ways to build psychological safety Learn to foster compassion post-election

An invitation from Renetta G. Tull, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

We recognize that amidst life's new beginnings and daily responsibilities, many continue to carry the weight of stress and trauma from global events and societal challenges. We invite you to engage with the our ongoing efforts to highlight discussions that connect to health and community. We acknowledge effects of trauma, and shares ways to foster healthy paths forward through a blog series, developed and written by Dr. Hendry Ton, Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Ton is also a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, with expertise in psychiatry, psychology, and public health. He writes in the spirit of sharing knowledge that can applied to healing, and contributing to building a beloved community.

Discover the Dynamic Discussions Deck

Created by UC Davis Inclusive Excellence to help people have thoughtful, respectful conversations

Blue cards are stacked on a polished wooden table, with a blurred meeting in the background.

Additional Resources

Hate Free Together is a partnership between UC Davis, Yolo County and the City of Davis.

Learn about the Race Matters resources from UC Davis Human Resources.

Read the latest Campus Community Book project and attend an upcoming CCBP event.

These 9 Tips for Managing Socio-Political Stress (download the pdf) were inspired by and adapted from lists created by the American Psychological Association, Texas Woman’s University, University of Michigan, Boston University and UC Davis students.

U.S. democracy depends on dialogues that represent a multiplicity of perspectives. Discover ways to pursue civic engagement.

Seek out a meaningful conversation through healing circles, educational events, and other community programming through the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center

Make an appointment with the UC Davis Ombuds Office, which is a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource.

Report an incident if you believe you have experience or witnessed an act of hate, bias, harassment or discrimination. 

Find Places and Spaces to connect

Resources specific to students

Explore mental health services available to UC Davis students.

Connect with community at one of the many Student Affairs centers and programs that speak to your identity and culture.

Resource specific to staff and faculty

Schedule a healing circle for your team at UC Davis Health. 

Take out a course through UC Davis Learning and Development on such topics as conflict competence, interpersonal skills, and communicating with patients. 

Explore mental health services available to UC Davis staff and faculty through the Academic and Staff Assistance Program. 

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Dynamic Discussions Addressing Antisemitism Addressing Islamophobia Multicultural Calendar Elections and Civic Engagement Faith-based and religious identity Hate-Free Together