Personal Experiences of Political or Controversial Discussion in University Classrooms

Summary

This study explores how university students and instructors experience political discussions in Canadian university classrooms. We’re interested in how people feel when talking about topics they see as politically or socially sensitive, and how those feelings may affect their comfort in participating in class discussions.

If you take part, you will be invited to share your experiences in a one-on-one interview lasting approximately 60–90 minutes.

To participate, you should have experience being part of university classroom discussions. This can include listening, observing, or choosing whether or not to speak, and does not require active participation in speaking.

We are not looking for your specific political opinions. Instead, we are interested in how classroom conversations feel, including whether there is any perceived risk in sharing your views, asking questions, or speaking openly. In other words, we are interested in how people choose to speak up, stay silent, or express themselves in different situations.

The goal of this study is to better understand classroom dynamics in a time of increasing political polarization and perceived ideological division, and to contribute to conversations about how universities can support open, respectful, and inclusive discussion.