The Depolarization Labs and Trainers Alliance
A network of academics working to build bridges across the partisan divide.
Our Mission
The mission of DeLTA is to work towards a depolarized world — one built on the constructive dialogue and healthy conflict that foster human flourishing. We work towards this world by helping academic researchers and practitioners build connections to supercharge their contributions toward conflict transformation.
Our Goals
- Creating community: We connect faculty, students, and practitioners of depolarization across the US and the world, in a bold, creative, and authentic community. We practice the principles we study, such as vulnerability, empathy, and courage, and create several active ways for network members to find thought partners and collaborators.
- Amplifying impact: We connect theoretical approaches with real world applications to test what actually works. We help ensure that scholarship is actually influencing practice in the field, and that what’s learned in the field makes it back to the academy. We remain ever hopeful for progress while staying honest when a theory or intervention is not working.
- Supporting the profession: We actively support DeLTA Network members in building their professional profiles, finding jobs, and connecting with resources, so that the depolarization, conflict resolution, and constructive dialogue fields can be sustainable professions.
Events
A regular calendar of gatherings keeps our members engaged.
The Summit
Each Spring we invite network members to join us for a field-building event that includes opportunities for emerging researchers to have their work featured, and for faculty to build relationships and collaborations.
The Conference
Each Fall we gather a group of professors and practitioners for a public discussion about the state of the field, from fostering unifying narratives to preventing violent extremism, and the frontiers of their work.
Midterm Meetings
Between our major events we host discussions where members hear our plans and get to weigh in on the network and its programs.
Member Resources
Tools to help members connect with the field and expand their impact.
Newsletter & Listserv
Members are kept up to date about our programs and events, and we share some things to hopefully make you think.
The Listserv gives professors and academic practitioners the tools to communicate and collaborate.
Member Directory
Members can connect with one another for insights, referrals or collaborations.
Listings tell others the experience and expertise you can offer, along with the kind of thought partnership you might be seeking.
Publicizing Research and Practice
We plan to cultivate relationships with publishers, journalists, funders and university communications, to ensure that our members’ work is being recognized and gaining support.