What if young people care far more than we give them credit for — and just need someone to ask?

Dr. Stephanie Serriere is a professor of education at IU Columbus and director of the iEngage youth civic empowerment camp. A former elementary teacher who has taught around the world, her research focuses on youth civic engagement — supporting the issues that are real and relevant to young people's lives. In 2025 she received Indiana University's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Building Bridges Award. In this conversation, she shares what she's learned about listening to young people and helping them become peacemakers.

Stephanie explains why adults have to reposition themselves and open up space for youth to talk about what they really care about, how her camp helps kids research real community issues and take action on them, and why consensus ...