Community Building and Conflict Resolution (CBCR)

One of the best ways to prevent unproductive conflict is to build skills, relationships and trust. CBCR offers team and community building, providing the following services that can be used for professional development, team activities or retreats:

• Community building circles – Developed to create deeper connections amongst the team.
• Community planning sessions – Use the Art of Hosting process to create customized strategic community conversations about topics such as goals/mission/vision, community agreements, assessing community priorities and imagining the future.
• Training – Our workshops can be used to build skills in preventing conflict or promoting resolution when conflicts arise. 

CBCR uses mediation and restorative processes to address conflict, with a focus on problem-solving, restoring relationships, accountability and social support to all parties involved. Our work is based on professional practice and academic scholarship. Restorative services can now be found working in tandem with criminal justice systems, K-12 education and higher education.

Why people seek conflict resolution:

• Find a non-punitive path towards resolution
• Be actively involved in the process and outcomes
• Be heard and have impact acknowledged
• Repair a relationship
• Seek or offer accountability
• Identify action steps towards repair
• Find an agreeable solution to conflict for both parties (mediation)

CBCR seeks to resolve conflict, and:

• Rebuild community
• Strengthen relationships
• Recognize the core humanity and dignity of all involved
• Support accountability and communal problem solving
• Emphasize learning and growth
• Align with The Ohio State University’s Shared Values and learning goals, and support student and employee development and retention

Need support? 

Reach out to us for a consultation by contacting childers.23@osu.edu. 

Leaders, departments, units or individuals can contact CBCR for support. Ombuds, Human Resources, Compliance or a related unit can also refer a concern to CBCR. We will work with the individual parties to determine if community building, mediation or a restorative process is appropriate.

If we cannot meet your needs, we will connect you with the appropriate resources.

Once we receive a request, a staff member will reach out to schedule a 30-minute consultation. Participation is always voluntary, and participants can leave the process at any time.

“I just don't know how to have this conversation.” If you’ve ever had this thought, you aren’t alone! Our 90-minute workshop equips you with the confidence and skills to engage in meaningful and connecting conversations at work. You’ll learn how to approach difficult topics with empathy, defuse tensions, and create a space for open, honest dialogue. Whether it’s addressing misunderstandings or resolving conflicts, this session provides actionable techniques to transform challenging discussions into pathways for deeper understanding and collective progress. 

Date options for the AU25 semester include:

• Wednesday, October 23
• Thursday, November 6
• Thursday, December 4

Learn more and register

A fundamental part of skill building is practice. This 90-minute workshop offers participants the opportunity to practice the dialogue building skills and de-escalation techniques introduced in our Navigating Difficult Conversations workshop. Participants will be given different workplace scenarios to apply skills in real time. Note: This workshop is designed to be attended after our Navigating Difficult Conversations workshop.

Conflict is a common part of the work we do every day. While unresolved conflict can create tension and impact trust, with support and intentional communication skills, conflict can also open the door to deeper understanding, increased connection and meaningful resolutions — even in fast-paced work environments. Our 90-minute “Reflect and Restore” workshop creates a supportive space for participants to explore how they approach conflict and learn effective conflict management skills that can help individuals get "unstuck" in their communication strategies and find meaningful paths forward. 

Date options for the AU25 semester include:

• Wednesday, October 15
• Thursday, October 30
• Wednesday, November 12
• Thursday, December 11

Learn more and register

From Debate to Dialogue: Conversation Strategies to Build Connection Across Difference is a training series co-presented with The Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning. It is also a qualifying event for the "Foundations of Effective Learning Environments" offered through the Drake Institute.

From Debate to Dialogue is a 2-day training opportunity where participants will learn to apply essential skills for building affirming dialogue in the workplace and the classroom. This training covers skills to help participants engage in difficult conversations effectively and compassionately while navigating and/or deescalating interpersonal conflicts that arise with our colleagues and/or students.  

AU25's training (virtual) is set for December 2-3, 2025 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. 

Learn more and register

• Community and team building
• Community-based strategic planning
• Dialogue skills
• Restorative leadership
• Conflict resolution