‘Tackling Wicked Problems’ Speaker at UW March 10-11

An expert on community problem-solving and collaborative decision-making will speak Monday, March 10, at the University of Wyoming.

Martín Carcasson, the founding director of the Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University, will present “Tackling Wicked Problems Through Deliberative Engagement” at 5:30 p.m. in the Wyoming Union West Ballroom. For those who can’t be there in person, a livestream link will be posted by Monday here.

Carcasson, a professor of communication studies, focuses on helping local communities address “wicked problems” more productively through improved public communication, community problem-solving and collaborative decision-making. His presentation is the second of three public lectures at UW this semester promoting free expression, intellectual freedom and constructive dialogue.

The day after his presentation, Tuesday, March 11, Carcasson will offer three follow-up workshops to give people the chance to practice some of his dialogue techniques, also in the Wyoming Union West Ballroom:

-- 9:35-10:50 a.m.: Workshop for instructors, “Engaging Controversial Issues in Classrooms.”

-- 11 a.m.-noon: Workshop for staff, faculty and students, “Understanding and Counteracting Toxic Polarization: The Causes, Impacts and Tools to Engage.”

-- 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Workshop for students, “Building Your Capacity for Bridging Divides and Collaborative Problem-Solving.”

Carcasson’s visit is sponsored by the student organization BridgeUWYO; UW’s Service, Leadership and Community Engagement Office; the Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program; and the Office of the President.