How can designers foster dialogue and understanding in times of polarization?
In situations where extreme viewpoints dominate and the voices in between go unheard? With the project The Silent Middle, a collaboration between Fundamentals Academy, theRevolution, and Erwin Elling Strategy & Consultancy, we set out to explore this question. And now, there is an answer. A practical set of design principles and facilitation tools demonstrates how the power of design can amplify quieter voices and encourage new perspectives.

It’s a given: when public debate becomes polarized, there is little room left for nuance. In these tense discussions, the so-called silent middle often remains quiet. Whether this stems from a lack of a strong opinion or from feelings of uncertainty, invisibility, or insecurity — this group tends not to take up space. The coalition of Fundamentals Academy, theRevolution, and Erwin Elling Strategy & Consultancy aims to help them find and use their voices, so they too can contribute to potential solutions. With my background in Deep Democracy, I had the opportunity to take on this challenge in the role of design researcher.

Step by step towards expression
The Polarization Framework developed by philosopher Bart Brandsma offered valuable insights and tools for our mission. Guided by his theory, we explored the role of designers in creating safety, nurturing a better listening culture, and shaping meaningful, collective conversations. Through an iterative process, we developed and tested design principles that help facilitators and professionals navigate polarized environments.

For instance, we carried out a multichannel campaign in the province of Brabant, where local residents were invited to engage with a nearby company through different channels. The results showed that the setup of the contact moment and the choice of conversation partner played a major role in whether people felt able or willing to express themselves. Another test location was Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where we asked students and staff about their relationship with the institution. Once again, the intervention revealed the potential of open dialogue — especially when participants are not forced to pick a side, but instead feel safe enough to speak with nuance.

The result
The results of our work have now been published: earlier this year, we launched a set of design principles and facilitation tools as part of the ESCape program. Within this program, research, co-design, and creative interventions are combined to generate solutions while strengthening the network of involved partners. In this particular case, it means ensuring that the silent middle also gains a clear and confident voice.