Five UC Davis faculty and staff have been named 2026-27 UC Dialogue Fellows for projects they will lead to advance the teaching and practice of dialogue across differences. Among those five, Heather Hether from the Department of Communication was named.
This is the first year for the fellowship, and 18 faculty and staff from six UC campuses have been named to the inaugural cohort of fellows, each receiving a $5,000 grant.
“Through 18 innovative projects spanning disciplines from science and medicine to the arts, classics and communication, fellows will develop and expand curricular resources while building a systemwide community of practice dedicated to strengthening dialogue as a foundation for learning, civic engagement and democratic participation,” the UC Office of the President said in its announcement.
Heather J. Hether
Associate professor of teaching, Department of Communication
‘The TICLE Toolkit: Developing Skills for Dialogue across Difference’
Productive dialogue requires a diverse set of competencies. This project integrates these competencies and their theoretical underpinnings into one cohesive framework, designed to help students apply these competencies in dialogue with people who hold different opinions, beliefs and values.
The model describes four stages of engaging in dialogue across difference: topic identification, communication, listening and examination, or TICLE. The memorable acronym reflects the idea that dialogue — as a “tickle” — can be a stimulus for change. In this case, a meaningful change may be a shift in knowledge or attitudes, including greater openness to diverse worldviews and perspectives.
Each stage is anchored in theory and includes recommended skills that can be developed with the support of the toolkit. Acquiring the skills associated with each stage is important for engaging in dialogue and realizing its potential for greater understanding and insight. The goal of the model is not to resolve difference, per se, but to support students in developing a skill set reflecting key competencies, including critical thinking, communication, listening and metacognition. Grounded in established theories, these competencies support thoughtful engagement in dialogue.
Hether teaches courses in interpersonal communication, group communication, public relations and communication campaigns, seeking to help students translate communication theory into practical skills they can use in their lives. Her student-centered approach encourages discussion and collaborative problem solving, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn and practice the skills that support productive dialogue.
To learn about the other awardees, read the original article on UC Davis News.
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