Some key strategies you can use to manage discussions on challenging topics.
There are some key strategies you can use to enable students to engage with challenging, contentious, or triggering topics in a safe, respectful, and academically valuable way.
You can:
- Foster a respectful learning environment in which students feel empowered and safe to engage in challenging discussions and to raise concerns.
- Critically review your course content and activities so you can be confident that engagement with specific topics is an essential part of learning for your students.
- Prepare for both planned and unplanned discussions on difficult topics, including what you could do if discussions become unsafe or inappropriate.
- Manage discussions on difficult topics the way you prepare for but remain flexible.
- Know what support services are available to students and how to refer students where appropriate. See the Support services page for more information.
- Seek support for yourself, if necessary, from the range of ANU resources available to staff. See the Support services page.
This resource collection provides further details on how to implement and use these strategies.