Symposium: The Power of Dialogue in Education

How can dialogue be integrated into teaching in a way that fosters stronger connections between students and enhances their wellbeing? This was the central question that Karin Nijenhuis explored in her 2023 Comenius Senior Fellowship. Together with eight lecturers from across the Faculty of Humanities and the African Studies Centre Leiden, she investigated this question in educational practice.

The findings are clear: dialogue is a powerful and activating teaching method. It engages all students, supports the development of academic skills, encourages connection to both subject content and peers, and creates space for discussing sensitive topics.

About the symposium

The Power of Dialogue in Education event marks the conclusion of this project and the launch of a new professional development course for lecturers who wish to strengthen their teaching by applying the principles of dialogue. The symposium features an interactive and varied programme with both lecturers and students. We won’t just talk about dialogue — we’ll actively engage in it.

In her keynote, Professor Irene Costera Meijer, emeritus professor of Journalism Studies at VU Amsterdam, reflects on her personal experiences with dialogue as a teaching method. Karin Nijenhuis will present the project’s outcomes and introduce the new professionalisation course. Members of the Leiden University Dialogue in Education Network (LUDIEN) will lead workshops showcasing their own applications of dialogue in teaching. The chair of the day is Mette Kamerich, student assessor on the Faculty Board of Humanities. The afternoon concludes with a drinks reception, offering ample opportunity to exchange ideas and continue the conversation.

Programme

Part 1

13:00-13:30: Arrival and registration

13:30 -14:15: Welcome, introduction and pitches – by Karin Nijenhuis and others*

14:15-15:00: Keynote: Are we putting something in or taking something out? What journalism research taught me about dialogue in education – by prof. Irene Costera Meijer

15:00– 15:30: Break

Part 2

15:30-16:30: Parallel workshops by trained lecturers*: Applying dialogue in your teaching. See the overview of workshops below

16:30-16:45: Presentation professionalisation course for lecturers: Dialogue in Education; How dialogue as an activating teaching method can support your teaching and your students

16:45: Closing remarks followed by drinks reception

You can register here.

More about dialogue

Dialogue is a distinctive form of conversation, inspired by the work of philosopher and quantum physicist David Bohm. It is a structured, open and reflective way of engaging with one another, allowing different perspectives to surface and fostering connection among students.

This approach not only enables the discussion of sensitive topics, but also supports the development of essential cross-disciplinary skills such as inquiry, reflection and resilience. Especially in times when student wellbeing is under pressure — often due to feelings of isolation — dialogue proves to be an effective method for building connection and learning together. It contributes to a more resilient and engaged academic community.