SB1, AI, and changing environments, Oh My! Organizational ethics are inherently gray and involve controversies, multiple perspectives, and open-mindedness to navigate effectively. However, in an era of increasing polarization across political, economic, social, and technological fronts (PEST), ethical conversations are progressively challenging to facilitate in the classroom.

How can instructors navigate ethical conversations with students without compromising personal integrity or the importance of the topic? Participants in this session will learn how to navigate changing environmental forces while facilitating difficult conversations in the classroom. Using an ethical lens, participants can apply this to several courses, such as business, social sciences, humanities, health sciences, technology, engineering, and education. Strategies will be discussed that instructors can use to adapt within their classes, thus fostering a positive environment for civil discourse. This workshop was previously presented at the May 2025 LT@UC Conference where attendees selected it for an Outstanding Presentation Award because of its exceptional merit.

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

Understand – Participants will learn about the PEST analysis concerning difficult conversations and how they affect the classroom environment. This better equips the instructor/facilitator, allowing them to exhibit more confidence regarding the subject matter.
Develop – Participants will learn how to engage in meaningful conversations about changing environmental forces with students while maintaining personal integrity and the importance of the topic as related to subject matter content. Together, we will explore techniques for fostering open dialogue while respecting diverse perspectives.
Implement—Participants will experience a hands-on activity designed to facilitate thoughtful discourse on challenging topics. In addition, a handout with a variety of strategies to engage students in the classroom will be available. A design thinking framework for addressing wicked problems in ethics is used to frame implementati