The Generous Listening and Dialogue (GLAD) Center, launched in collaboration with Vuslat Foundation, is designed to serve as a hub and educational resource to promote authentic dialogue and generous listening across differences. With the guidance of Peter Levine, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in Tufts University’s Jonathan Tisch College of Civic Life and under the direction of Dr Kenann McKenzie, an educator, researcher, and civic leader, the GLAD Center will collaborate with schools and departments across the university and with external partners to build and sustain a community of robust dialogue and truly generous listening.

Designed to center focus on civic engagement, listening, and dialogue on challenging issues, the Center defines generous listening broadly, encompassing the art of listening to ourselves, to nature, and to others—especially when people disagree or when they confront differences of power and status.

As Vuslat Foundation support interdisciplinary and applied research on listening, dialogue and good conversation, the GLAD Center will contribute to the Foundation’s mission by developing skills and awareness, addressing hard issues, and generating new knowledge for fostering sustainable and healthy civic lives.