Why Are We Bullying Each Other?: The UVA Civil Discourse Initiative's "This is (Not) a Debate" Series with Sabriya Sheikh and Christoph Schoer

Episode Notes

This episode of Pilot Projects spotlights the Civil Discourse Initiative (CDI) at the University of Virginia, a student-led organization creating space for honest, good-faith political dialogue. With support from the Jefferson Trust, CDI hosts the “This Is (Not) a Debate” series—events where students with differing viewpoints come together to discuss complex issues, from tariffs to the Gen Z gender gap, not to score points but to seek common ground.

We hear from Sabriya Sheikh and Christoph Schoer, two student leaders from CDI, about how they’re reimagining disagreement as a collaborative act. Guided by kindness, curiosity, and a desire for accessibility, CDI helps students learn to disagree better; developing empathy, critical thinking, and the courage to change their minds.

Follow the Civil Discourse Initiative on Instagram at @civildiscourseinitiative or connect on LinkedIn.

Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective and is based in Clemons Library at UVA. Check out more Sound on Grounds podcasts at virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds. The Pilot Projects show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci. This episode was engineered, written, and edited by Sara Bastinelli and Jason Evans Groth, with original music written and recorded by Jason Evans Groth.