Chris Coome Joins the Civil Discourse Project

Chris Coome joins Duke’s Civil Discourse Project (CDP) with a rich and varied background that uniquely positions him to foster meaningful conversations. He is a Canadian scholar specializing in British intellectual history and civil society. He received a PhD from Queen’s University and his first book, The Foundations of Re-Enchantment will be published by Oxford University Press (2025). Chris has navigated multiple worlds—politics, business, religion, and academia. From running political campaigns, working in real estate, pursuing a MDiv at Yale Divinity School, his experiences have given him a grounded, real-world perspective on public discourse. 

His passion for civil discourse stems from the belief that people have more in common than they originally believe. 

“I'm really interested in people and the ideas they hold, but more than anything, I believe in our shared humanity. At our core, human nature unites us—we think about many of the same fundamental things in similar ways. The more we recognize that, the more meaningful our conversations become. Shared humanity is often forgotten, yet it's the very thing that connects us all.”

He believes that fostering open and respectful conversations is crucial for the health of democratic societies.  His goal at CDP is to create spaces where students can engage with difficult topics constructively, rather than retreating into bubbles.

“An interesting question to consider is: What does it mean to be liberal within the progressive movement, and what does it mean to be conservative within the conservative movement? Do these ideological labels still align with our current realities, or are we entering a stage where these traditional categories no longer function as they once did? If so, should that change the way we talk about them?”

This semester, Chris is focusing on working with student publications, like the Lemur Magazine, mentoring political groups across the spectrum, and organizing discussions on key issues shaping American politics. With an eye toward fostering engagement beyond academia, he brings an approach rooted in both intellectual curiosity and practical experience. As he settles into his role, he looks forward to shaping CDP’s next chapter and helping students build the skills needed for thoughtful and impactful discourse.