Call for Ashby Dialogue applications

Posted on March 26, 2021

Applications are invited for grants to support informal programs of interdisciplinary inquiry involving both faculty and students during the 2021-2022 academic year. Depending on availability of funds, two or three awards will be made to groups of faculty and students who propose coherent plans for interdisciplinary inquiry in any area of knowledge. The aim of the grants is to implement the vision of the late Warren Ashby that the University should be a community of inquiry, with faculty and students engaged in the pursuit of understanding both in and out of the classroom.
Each dialogue group should consist of approximately 10-15 faculty and students, representing at least two academic departments, who agree to meet at least once a month for 2-3 hours. The meetings will provide the opportunity for informal but focused inquiry into some topic or issue of mutual interest. The group may agree to meet for a single semester or for the whole academic year. Possible formats for the dialogues might include, but are by no means limited to:

  • discussion of a series of readings, performances, or works of art that are united by a theme
  • sustained examination of a single important book
  • an investigation of the social or political implications of a recent event
  • an analysis of the public policy consequences of a scientific discovery or project

    The application should indicate the topic or issue that will provide the focus for the inquiry and the activities that will be undertaken to enhance the participants’ understanding of the topic.
    Preference will be given to applications that involve faculty and undergraduate students in a focused, coherent program of inquiry.

    Each award will provide up to $2,000 in funds payable to one or more visiting speakers or performers. Visitors should be asked to give one public lecture or performance and to meet for discussion with the dialogue group during their stay on campus (hopefully, we will be back to in-person activities by the fall). A group may choose to bring one speaker of national stature, or two or three speakers of more local renown. Multiple speakers might be scheduled throughout the semester or the year or might participate in a symposium covering one or two days. The dollar amount paid to each visitor should be sufficient to cover all expenses; additional amounts for travel and lodging cannot be provided. Some additional funding may be provided for other expenses of the group, including refreshments. Applicants should complete the application form and include a 2-3-page narrative description of the proposed dialogue. The deadline for application submission is May 7, 2021; announcement of awards will be made by the end of May. Funds will be made available in September 2021. Submit completed applications to Shannon Lovett srlovett@uncg.edu or mail to College of Arts and Sciences, Room 105 Foust Building, Campus (334-3186).

Information and application here.

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