In an era marked by increasing polarization, Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management have taken a proactive step towards fostering constructive dialogue. They have announced the launch of the Center for Enlightened Disagreement, an innovative research hub dedicated to promoting healthier discourse in today’s world. This pioneering center, based at the Kellogg School of Management, will serve as a nexus for leading academics and thinkers. Its mission is to conduct rigorous research, establish best practices, and equip both students and leaders with the essential skills to navigate differences and leverage the power inherent in diverse perspectives.
The cornerstone of progress, whether in politics, business, or education, lies in the exchange of opposing ideas. These differing viewpoints are the engine of innovation and change, compelling critical thinking and uncovering novel solutions to complex challenges. However, the escalating divisions and entrenched positions in modern society have made productive discussion and debate increasingly difficult. In the corporate world, for instance, managers and leaders often find themselves unprepared to handle contentious issues within their organizations, lacking the necessary training to effectively navigate these intricate situations.
Francesca Cornelli, Dean of Kellogg, emphasized the university’s commitment: “Kellogg and Northwestern are deeply invested in tackling the growing obstacles to open discourse that impede societal advancement. Our approach is not to eliminate disagreement, but to embrace it as a valuable asset.” Dean Cornelli further highlighted Kellogg’s long-standing expertise in conflict resolution, negotiation, and bridging ideological divides, stating, “Now is the crucial moment to amplify this work, which has never been more vital.”
“Disagreement is the lifeblood of innovation, but it can run amok. We founded the Center to push people, organizations and societies to harness the power of disagreement while minimizing its perils.”
Eli Finkel
Co-Director, Center for Enlightened Disagreement
The Center for Enlightened Disagreement will be jointly led by two distinguished professors: Nour Kteily, a Professor of Management and Organizations and Co-Director of Kellogg’s Dispute Resolution Research Center, and Eli Finkel, also a Professor of Management and Organizations at Kellogg, as well as a Professor of Psychology and Morton O. Schapiro Institute for Policy Research Faculty Fellow at Northwestern. Building upon Kellogg’s extensive research in fostering dialogue among individuals with diverse viewpoints and motivations, the Center aims to expand this crucial field of study.
The Center’s activities will be structured around four fundamental pillars: research, outreach, curriculum development, and facilitating public discussions. The vision is for the Enlightened Disagreement Center to become a globally recognized destination, a central forum for conversations surrounding disagreement. It will create a collaborative space uniting voices from various disciplines, industries, and ideologies. The overarching goal is to continually advance the frontiers of research and expand the Center’s capacity to host impactful conferences, debates, and welcome prominent fellows-in-residence who will further the Center’s vital work.
Michael H. Schill, President of Northwestern, addressed the broader societal context: “Our nation today faces threats from identity politics and persistent divisions rooted in region, class, religion, and education.” He further noted the erosion of mutual understanding and empathy: “We increasingly lack the ability to understand each other and to empathize with people who seem not to be like us. Addressing these problems is the core mission of higher education institutions. Northwestern and Kellogg are ideally positioned to develop models for meaningful engagement across differences.”
The cornerstone of the Center will be a robust research program focused on identifying effective strategies and policies that encourage productive dialogue across diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to successful outcomes. Leveraging Kellogg’s strong ties to the business community, the Center’s faculty will collaborate with companies and organizations to rigorously test the practical effectiveness of these research-backed ideas in real-world settings. Looking ahead, the Center aims to become a valuable resource, offering consultation to government officials and policymakers, as well as CEOs and organizational leaders seeking expert guidance on how to effectively navigate – and even embrace – a wide spectrum of opinions.
“Any healthy group, organization or society requires disagreement. That’s how we home in on the best and most rigorous ideas.”
Nour Kteily
Co-Director, Center for Enlightened Disagreement
The valuable insights generated from the Center’s research will be directly integrated into the classroom. The aim is to train both undergraduate and graduate students in proven methods for enhancing their understanding of others’ perspectives and motivations. The curriculum will be enhanced to equip future leaders with the skills to effectively integrate diverse opinions to drive organizational progress and success. Furthermore, students will learn essential techniques for navigating conflict and fostering inclusivity within the workplace. This focus on practical application distinguishes the Kellogg enlightened disagreement initiative.
“Disagreement is the lifeblood of innovation, but it can run amok,” reiterated co-director Eli Finkel. “We founded the Center to push people, organizations and societies to harness the power of disagreement while minimizing its perils.”
Nour Kteily, the other co-director, added further emphasis: “Any healthy group, organization or society requires disagreement. It’s how we home in on the best and most rigorous ideas. Too often, though, we get lost in caricaturing and alienating those who disagree with us, spurning the opportunity to learn and benefit from our differences in perspectives. The Center for Enlightened Disagreement will serve as a hub for developing and disseminating cutting-edge research and evidence-backed practical tools to help us do better.”
With the establishment of the Center for Enlightened Disagreement, Kellogg and Northwestern are committed to enhancing the ability to engage across differences – in business, politics, higher education, and all sectors of society – ultimately contributing to a more constructive and progressive future. This enlightened learning center for disagreement promises to be a vital resource for years to come.
