"It is incredibly important, because what's at stake if this civil discourse is not minimally functioning, is our democracy, our social fabric, our social cohesion, our ability to function as a multicultural, multi-political, multi-ideological, multi-religious, multi-racial society as it's been imagined and aspired to be for some 250 years."
Abdullah Antepli, Director of Duke's Civil Discourse Project
"As members of a pluralistic community who strive to practice civil discourse, we shouldn’t shy away from conversations just because they’re difficult"
Alec Gallimore, Duke Provost
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Abdullah Antepli
DIRECTOR
abdullah.antepli@duke.edu
Abdullah Antepli is the Director of Polis: Center for Politics and the Civil Discourse Project. He is an Associate Professor of the Practice in the Sanford School of Public Policy and of Interfaith Relations in the Divinity School.
Meg Bittle
ASSITANT DIRECTOR
Meg Bittle is the Assistant Director of Polis.
Christopher Coome, PhD
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Dr. Christopher Coome is a Canadian scholar specializing in British intellectual history and civil society over the long 19th century. He has taught courses on the Atlantic world, religious history, and assisted with courses on everything from ancient Rome to contemporary Europe. Previous to his academic career, Chris worked in politics and served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Campaign Manager on provincial and municipal campaigns. At Duke, Chris is passionate about fostering a culture of civil discourse and contributing to the intellectual and political life of its students. His first book, The Foundations of Re-Enchantment is being published by Oxford University Press (2025).
Connor Grubaugh
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Connor Grubaugh is a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Fellow at the Civil Discourse Project at Duke University. His work ranges widely across intellectual history, with a focus on the modern reception of ancient historiography and theology. His dissertation examined the concept of hope in the political thought of John Locke and the subsequent liberal tradition. He holds a DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford, an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, and a B.A. in History from the University of California, Berkeley.
Quazha Nettles
ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT
Quazha Nettles is the Administrative and Communications Assistant for Polis.
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Videos
The Future of Liberalism
with Chandran Kukatas, Emily Chamlee-Wright, Stephen Davies, and Steve Horwitz
The Future of Conservatism
with Patrick Deneen, Yuval Levin, Daniel McCarthy, and Ashleen Menchaca-Bagnulo
The Future of Progressivism
with Justin Giboney, Jillian Johnson, Michael Kazin, and Dan Vermeer
Support
The Civil Discourse Project relies on the support of Duke alums, parents, and friends. For more information about how you can help support CDP, contact Director Abdullah Antepli at a.antepli@duke.edu.