Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) recently received three grants strengthening academic research and campus dialogue.
National Science Foundation (NSF) — SHARE Program: The Sponsored Research and Projects Office received an NSF grant for the Supporting and Harmonizing Research Endeavors (SHARE) Program. This initiative provides mentorship, formal training, and skill development for campus grant administrators, while building collaborative partnerships with other Ohio colleges and universities. The goal is for SHARE participants to strengthen their professional skills and institutional networks to better support faculty researchers and increase OWU’s competitiveness for external funding — expanding research opportunities for students and faculty over this two-year project.
Institute for Citizens and Scholars — $10,000 Constructive Dialogue Grant: Thanks to a $10,000 award from the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, OWU will participate in a nationwide survey about students’ civic habits as part of the Campuswide Immersion project. The grant supports institutional research and provides incentives for student participation. The survey asks students about how they find and evaluate information and their comfort engaging with diverse peers, key elements of “civic fluency.” This grant supports OWU’s ongoing constructive dialogue initiative (CDI). training. CDI teaches students to have meaningful conversations across differing viewpoints, developing empathy, curiosity, and active listening skills.
Vanderbilt University Civil Discourse Lab: OWU earned participation in Vanderbilt University’s Civil Discourse CoLabs, funded by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, which brings together institutions leading dialogue efforts nationwide. OWU participated in an initial workshop in January and returns to Vanderbilt in May. The grant also supported OWU’s recent Dialogue for Democracy event, which brought Delaware community members together to discuss priorities for their elected leaders.
The constructive dialogue initiatives are led by Dr. Ashley Biser, Charles W. Fairbanks Associate Professor of Politics and Government, and Dr. Chad Johns, OWU University Chaplain, reflecting OWU’s commitment to preparing students as thoughtful, engaged citizens.
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: Office of Sponsored Research and Projects
Contact: Susan Zimmerman at grants@owu.edu