Disagreement is a cornerstone of intellectual growth, yet many students rarely — if ever — disagreed openly with a professor. National polling by FIRE indicates that 75% of UVA students report never having challenged a professor’s views, highlighting a gap between the ideals of free inquiry and students’ lived experiences. Creating spaces where disagreement feels both safe and productive is essential building these skills among students.

In this interactive workshop exclusively for HxA members, attendees will learn about UVA’s highly popular Disagree with a Professor event series. Designed to be easily replicable across institutions, the program brings together faculty and students for structured, lighthearted, and often lively conversations over free lunch. Faculty participants each offer several statements they are willing to defend — ranging from playful to provocative — and students rotate among small-group discussions, engaging directly with professors. The goal is not consensus, but practice: helping students articulate their views, respond thoughtfully to disagreement, and engage ideas that may challenge their assumptions.

The session will explore why Disagree with a Professor has been so successful at UVA, what makes controversial or unexpected prompts especially effective, and how informal, low-stakes settings can lower the barriers to student participation. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the program’s structure, practical guidance for launching a similar initiative on their own campus, and insights into how these conversations support broader efforts around free expression, civil discourse, and intellectual engagement.

The session will be led by Mary Kate Cary, Founder and Director of Think Again UVA and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Interim President of the University of Virginia.

Space is limited. Register today to join the conversation and learn how to bring constructive disagreement to your campus.