Superheroes of Dialogue

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Professor Kevin Tan attended the Faculty Institute, where he was inspired by an idea from Professor John D. Draeger of Buffalo State University. This inspiration led him to develop a creative exercise designed to help his social work students think about how to support their younger clients in engaging in dialogue across differences. The solution: Use something that resonates with many kids—superheroes! He challenged his students to imagine what a “discourse superhero” might look like. Big ears for listening and a big heart were just a few of the ideas that emerged. Making dialogue accessible—for kids and those who work with them—is crucial to fostering productive conversations at any age.