Apply by August 23: IF Sustained Discussion Visiting Fellows Program
Do you believe in the power of bringing people together to explore important social topics and issues of public concern? Would you like to create new tools for better conversations? Do you think we think better when we think together?
The Interactivity Foundation’s Sustained Discussions Program (SDP) offers a select group of Visiting Fellows the chance to lead independent, exploratory discussion projects focused on topics of public concern that are currently under-examined or not in the mainstream consciousness, yet. This program builds on IF’s long history of sustained, exploratory discussions.
Apply to become an IF Sustained Discussion Visiting Fellow and receive $5,000 to support a discussion project focused on an emerging public concern.
What will SDP Fellows do?
- Manage their own small-group discussion projects in which they recruit and facilitate a minimum of ten discussions on an emerging public topic with a selected panel of discussants (approximately 20 hours of total discussion).
- Develop a facilitation plan and other innovative discussion tools for others to use.
- Meet monthly with IF team members and other SDP fellows to learn together.
Who should apply?
- Individuals passionate about facilitating exploratory discussions about emerging issues of public concern.
- Civically-minded individuals and/or civic professionals that represent community organizations. We welcome support, co-sponsorship, and collaboration from other organizations.
- Individuals interested in organizing and facilitating small-group discussions.
- Individuals interested in collaborating to create discussion tools and resources.
- Individuals focused on supporting exploration of areas of concern, but not driven by a singular and predetermined outcome (we are not looking for advocates for specific policies or course of action).
Important Dates
- July 15, 2024: Applications open
- July 31, 2024: Information Session (12 pm – 1 pm ET via Zoom)
- August 23, 2024: Applications close
- August 30, 2024: Notification of acceptance
- September 2024 – May 2025: Visiting Fellows Cohort Meetings (12 pm ET on the first Friday of each month)
- January – May, 2025: Small Group Discussions & Tool Development
- June, 2025: Showcase of new facilitation plans and discussion tools
For questions contact us at [email protected].
