NOTE: This programme was formerly known as Impartial Chairs.

Become a Leader in Dialogue

In today’s increasingly polarised society, it’s important to understand and navigate different perspectives. The Leaders in Dialogue programme trains students to become the next generation of leaders, helping to navigate difficult conversations on and off campus. You’ll gain confidence and resilience to step into leadership positions, understand differing views, and debate and discuss a range of topics respectfully and sensitively. In a world full of heated disagreement and division, good conversations matter. 

Leaders in Dialogue will broaden your horizons, helping you to navigate conflict, reflect on your own power, and understand and appreciate a diverse range of views. Through hands-on, tailored training masterclasses, you will deepen your understanding of division and conflict, develop awareness of the challenges and complexities surrounding freedom of speech, and build the skills needed to tackle difficult conversations. You will also develop your facilitation and influencing abilities and put these into practice in real-life scenarios. 

This programme is generously supported by Pears Foundation. 

See where it can take you
From Leader in Dialogue to Podcast Host

What You’ll Do

  • Participate in a variety of in-person training sessions, each crafted to help you develop your skills. 
  • Work with professionals (Debate Mate, Upskill 4 Life), who will support you in developing communication, understanding, facilitation, influencing, and more. 
  • Travel to Northern Ireland for a fully funded, six-day experiential learning trip. You will see a place with a complex history of conflicting narratives and perspective, learning from those who lived through it.  
  • Put the skills you learn into practice through a number of paid opportunities throughout the programme and beyond.

What You’ll Get

Once you finish, you will become an accredited Leader in Dialogue, becoming part of a wider network of leaders across UCL and beyond. You will receive an official HEAR certificate demonstrating your completion. This is not just a learning experience, but an opportunity for you to become part of something much bigger, leaving UCL with a very unique and sought-after skillset.

You will have access to a large number of paid opportunities, including:

  • Chairing big debates, panels, and meetings across UCL, such as faculty events and society discussions.
  • Taking part in rare, bespoke opportunities such as hosting a podcast or organising sessions at UCL conferences and workshops. 
  • Training your colleagues through peer-to-peer learning opportunities, imparting the skills you gained to others.

This is more than just a few weeks - this programme will provide opportunities throughout your time at UCL, and will support you to become part of the next generation of leaders developing dialogues across campus and beyond.

Apply below

If you’re ready to take on something new that challenges you, shapes you, and makes a difference. When submitting your application you should consider the following:

  • Why you are interested in the opportunity?
  • What skills would you like to develop on the programme?
  • How would you share your learnings with fellow students and help to shape or promote this programme?
  • Are you available during the essential dates below?

Essential dates

To complete the programme, you must have sufficient attendance across all of the workshops. We understand that things come up, but we expect that effort is made to achieve sufficient attendance. You must be available to attend one of the trips. The dates you must be available to participate in the programme are:

  • Introduction and Programme Brief - Monday 19th October, 11am
  • Debate Mate - Monday 19th October, 2-5pm
  • Up Skill 4 Life - Wednesday 28th October and Wednesday 4th November, 2-5pm
  • Northern Ireland trip - either 8-13 November 2026 or 14-19 February 2027
  • Active Bystander - Thursday 4th March, AM
  • International Centre for Intercultural Studies – TBC (Term 2)
  • Media Literacy Training - TBC (Term 2)

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a maximum one-minute video explaining why you would like to be part of the programme. Please apply by Sunday 11th October, 23:59pm.

Your application should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the programme, a desire to develop your skills and confidence in debate and respectful disagreement, and an interest in conflict resolution and facilitating external speaker events on a range of topics.

Last updated 1 day ago