Brave Conversations

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Led by Dr Farid Zaid and Dr Daniel Heller, the Monash Brave Conversations Project is a Vice-Chancellor–supported initiative that helps people talk – and listen – when it matters most.

Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology, education, neuroscience, and philosophy, and shaped by more than 22 months of intensive design and delivery at Monash and beyond, the project helps participants sit with discomfort, listen across perspectives, disagree thoughtfully and engage with complex issues with openness and integrity.

PROJECT IMPACT

As of 14 October 2026

Facts and figures

  • staff trained

    Across 12 institutions, including over 1,500 Monash staff

    2K+

  • partner universities

    Across 21 sessions, with over 700 attendees

    11

  • public events held

    Bringing together more than 1,100 attendees

    8

  • students engaged

    Through student programs delivered across eight universities

    270+

TAKE PART IN BRAVE CONVERSATIONS

Teaching Through Tension A practical workshop helping educators facilitate complex classroom conversations with confidence and care. Find a workshop.
Student Leadership Summit A five-day residential program bringing undergraduate students together to practise dialogue across differences. Explore the summit.

WHAT WE DO

Educator Training

Practical workshops and resources help educators navigate challenging classroom conversations through listening across differences, testing assumptions, de-escalating tension and scenario-based practice with structured feedback.

Student Programs

Student workshops, an immersive residential retreat and research opportunities develop dialogue, facilitation and leadership skills, equipping emerging leaders to engage across differences and lead dialogue-based projects on campus.

Community Engagement

  • Partnerships with state and federal government to support interpersonal and communal resilience initiatives.
  • Community dialogue programs in diverse local settings.
  • Professional development workshops for various sectors.
  • Collaboration with museums and cultural organisations on public engagement.

Advancing Research

  • Studies examining uncertainty tolerance and dialogue quality in university settings.
  • Research exploring innovative approaches to intergroup dialogue and empathy.
  • Development of evidence-informed teaching frameworks, tools and resources.
  • Collaborative research projects with domestic and international partners.

University Partnerships

  • One-day campus programs for universities seeking to strengthen constructive dialogue.
  • Tailored sessions for educators, students and senior leaders.
  • Three-day facilitator training program that equips university staff to embed constructive disagreement initiatives in their classrooms and on campus.

PROJECT CO-DIRECTORS