Workshop: Thinking through Complex Issues to Support Civic Action with Dr. Lori Britt
July 17, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT
- This event has passed.
Civic Collaboration: Thinking through Complex Issues to Support Civic Action
How can we unveil the hidden connections that shape our communities—and use that insight to drive meaningful change?
Featuring Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP) Visiting Fellow Dr. Lori Britt, this Civic Collaboration Workshop invites participants to explore systems thinking as a powerful tool for civic learning and engagement.
You will get an exclusive introduction to a brand-new activity, not yet publicly released, from the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit. It is designed to help you map out community issues in ways that reveal patterns and connections, while highlighting key leverage points: places where small, strategic actions can lead to meaningful impact. There will also be guidance on how to facilitate the activity yourself to promote civic collaboration and support civic action.
Lori is Director of Communication Studies at James Madison University and Co‑Director of ICAD. She brings deep expertise in civic dialogue and systems thinking, and her facilitation helps people navigate complexity with care and curiosity. Read an interview with Lori here.
During this workshop, you will:
- Learn and practice system mapping concepts to help understand the dynamics of community issues
- Identify leverage points, where small changes can lead to meaningful impact
- Consider how to involve community members in mapping, dialogue, and change
- Gain tools and strategies to lead this activity in classrooms, workplaces, and communities
- Receive an introduction to the free CDP Toolkit and how it can be used to foster inclusive dialogue and civic collaboration in classrooms, communities, and beyond
Whether you’re an educator, facilitator, civic leader, or community builder, this workshop offers practical ways to make complexity visible—and to chart a path from insight to action.
When: 1 pm – 3 pm (eastern) on July 17
Where: Online via Zoom, with small group breakout sessions
How much does it cost? $40
When is the registration deadline? 10am EDT the day of the event.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Refund policy: If you need to cancel your registration, please contact [email protected] before July 9, 2025. Your registration fee minus the 10% processing and administrative fees will be refunded up until July 9, 2025. After 4pm eastern on July 9, 2025, we will no longer be able to offer refunds.
