# Research & Design Studio The Research & Design Studio is the Center’s hub for innovation at the intersection of scholarship and practice. The Studio explores and strengthens civil discourse in higher education and public life by bringing together faculty, students, and civic leaders to study how we engage across difference. Through interdisciplinary research, hands-on experimentation, and campus-wide collaboration, the Studio aims to transform big questions into practical insights and effective tools that help make that engagement more meaningful and inclusive. ## Learn About Our Work [### Research ](/research) One of the aims of the Research & Design Studio is to bring together scholars, practitioners, and students to critically examine—and actively shape—the evolving landscape of civil discourse in higher education and democratic life. Grounded in... ![David Kidd presents research at our civil discourse conference](/sites/g/files/omnuum9911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/D%20Kidd%20Lab%20Hero%20%282%29.png?h=3f73dec9&itok=A5hAu0j2) [### Pedagogy ](/pedagogy) The Research & Design Studio has a lively and dynamic group working to curate, create, develop, and disseminate lesson plans, activities, training materials, and other pedagogical resources to advance the practice of teaching ethics and civil discourse in... ![Arthur Applbaum, Amelia Bertaska & Tomer Perry discuss pedagogy](/sites/g/files/omnuum9911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/Pedagogy%20Hero%20%282%29.png?itok=JIhjF6u9) [### Community of Practice ](/community-practice) The Research & Design Studio is structured to integrate collaboratively with others involved in civil discourse or synonymous and adjacent work across the broader Harvard community. Our Community of Practice is designed to facilitate action-oriented... ![community of practice members around a table](/sites/g/files/omnuum9911/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/CoP_0.jpeg?itok=dTaPoVGA)