Lessons in dialogue
Students' Union UCL's Impartial Chairs programme offers participants valuable insights into leadership, learning and the importance of navigating differences. UCL History student Mehrab Shah reflects on his experience visiting Northern Ireland as a participant in the programme.
Ideas | Portico Magazine | Spring 2025
As a history student at UCL, I’ve always been eager to grow not only academically but in ways that would prepare me for life beyond university. UCL has given me many opportunities to engage with its diverse community, particularly through my role as a Welcome Ambassador, but I wanted to challenge myself further.
University, I believe, is not just about developing a subject expertise. It's also about expanding your perspective, learning to communicate effectively across differences, and stepping outside one's comfort zone to engage with all types of ideas.
A friend told me about Students' Union UCL's Impartial Chairs programme, which he described as "greatly enriching." The programme sounded like the perfect opportunity to develop my knowledge and skills in an informal educational setting. I was particularly interested in improving my skills and ability to analytically reflect, engage in constructive conversation, and build my leadership capabilities. I decided to apply and was delighted when I was awarded a place on the programme.
"University, I believe, is not just about developing a subject expertise. It's also about expanding your perspective, learning to communicate effectively across differences."
More often than not, when we enter difficult conversations, we either avoid them, react emotionally or disengage. As part of the programme, we visited Northern Ireland, a region known for its complex history of religious divisions and conflict. The trip was especially eye-opening and provided a unique context to explore the dynamics of conflict resolution and peace building, through the lens of the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement and the lived experience of Northern Irish citizens.
The visit to Northern Ireland as part of the programme helped me understand the value of stopping to listen and crucially, of acknowledging opposing perspectives. Engaging with different viewpoints doesn’t mean adopting them, but it can create the space for meaningful dialogue and understanding.
A turning point in Belfast
In Belfast, our group came together to share our academic backgrounds, motivations for joining the programme, and what we hoped to gain from the experience. We were a diverse mix of students, each bringing unique perspectives and stories. Encouraged to be both open-minded and assertive in our beliefs, we engaged in thought-provoking discussions on a range of topics, including Northern Ireland’s history and its efforts to contain the violence during the Troubles.
A defining moment of our trip to Northern Ireland was a walking tour of Belfast’s divided communities. We first visited the predominantly Protestant Shankill Road with a loyalist ex-combatant as our guide. At the gates of the peace wall dividing the area, we were handed over to a nationalist, ex-Irish Republican Army (IRA) Catholic guide, who led us through Falls Road.
The existence of the wall itself shocked many of us. It was a stark reminder that, despite the formal peace, division still remains. Both guides presented essentially the same historical timeline, yet each framed the facts through their community’s perspective. This pattern repeated throughout the trip, whether in talks, panels or personal conversations, demonstrating how history is not just recorded but interpreted.
''Both guides presented essentially the same historical timeline, yet each framed the facts through their community’s perspective.''
At first, I assumed these differing narratives were the result of historical revisionism or an attempt to justify past actions. However, through reflection with my peers, I realised that this was an example of mirrored perspectives. Both communities saw themselves as victims, each viewing the other as the aggressor. Their fears, grievances and desires for security were also strikingly similar, yet their historical interpretations placed blame on the opposing side. A poignant example was a former police officer who recounted the conflict in a way that felt like he was tallying up casualties, subtly implying a justification for retaliation.
This mirroring effect where memory and reality blur makes reconciliation challenging. Recognising these perspectives as equally valid, even when they conflict, is essential for breaking cycles of misunderstandings and fostering genuine dialogue.
Participants of the Impartial Chairs programme. Image: Mehrab Shah
Participants of the Impartial Chairs programme. Image: Mehrab Shah
The programme included a walking tour of Belfast. Image: Mehrab Shah
The programme included a walking tour of Belfast. Image: Mehrab Shah
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
Image: Talia Bijwe-Alexander
The importance of dialogue
With the guidance of Dr Daniel Wehrenfennig (Center for International Experiential Learning) and the expert-led training sessions, we reflected on how these insights apply beyond Northern Ireland. As Impartial Chairs, we learned that productive dialogue requires acknowledging the legitimacy of different lived experiences, even when we profoundly disagree.
The skills I gained on the programme – listening without immediately reacting, navigating difficult conversations, and recognising shared aspirations amid division – are invaluable. Whether addressing global conflicts, navigating challenges such as student activism on campus or even processing personal conflicts, these lessons have lasting relevance.
The Impartial Chairs programme wasn’t easy, but it was transformative and has provided me with skills that I will carry far beyond my degree.
Mehrab Shah studies History at UCL and co-produces content for Pi Media, UCL.
Walking tour. Image: Mehrab Shah
Walking tour. Image: Mehrab Shah
Image: Mehrab Shah
Image: Mehrab Shah
Launched in 2023, the Impartial Chairs programme is a sector-leading skills development programme that has been developed and is run by Students’ Union UCL to create resilient and reflective student leaders at a global university.
In an increasingly polarised society where we are less likely to interact with people with differing views and perspectives, this programme has been designed to broaden students’ horizons, enabling them to reflect on their own biases and how these shape their views of different people and communities. Through experiential learning opportunities and a bespoke training programme, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of division and conflict; to develop their awareness of the complexities around navigating free speech; to build the skills needed to tackle difficult conversations; and to enhance their facilitation and influencing skills.
We are deeply grateful to Pears Foundation for their generous support, which has enabled Students' Union UCL to significantly expand the number of students we are able to reach through the Impartial Chairs programme.
For further information about the programme or if you would like to have an Impartial Chair chair one of your events, please contact Talia Bijou-Alexander (Head of Intercultural Engagement, Students Union UCL) by emailing t.bijwe-alexander@ucl.ac.uk
Portico magazine features stories for and from the UCL community. If you have a story to tell or feedback to share, contact advancement@ucl.ac.uk
Editor: Lauren Cain
Editorial team: Ray Antwi, Laili Kwok, Harry Latter, Bryony Merritt, Lucy Morrish, Alex Norton
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