The Death of Dialogue in the US: Lessons from a Debate Coach

Whether it's a high school debate team or presidential candidates, Americans suck at debate. Let's learn how to do better. In this interactive talk, internationally-recognized debate coach Natalie Bennie will discuss why Americans can't seem to have productive debates and how we can learn from argumentative cultures throughout the world.

(No public speaking is required.)

Natalie Bennie is a PhD candidate in Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State University, as well as a political debate consultant. As a debate coach for both students and adults, she has developed debate education curriculum in 4 different countries, including for one year in Germany as a Fulbright grantee. Her academic research centers on public deliberation and argumentation in the context of monuments and memorials.