Restorative Practices Symposium

The Restorative Practices (RP) Symposium is a bi-annual gathering hosted by Bias Incident Support Services (BISS) and other Maryland universities that brings together students, staff, faculty, and community partners to explore how restorative practices can transform our responses to bias, conflict, and identity-based harm. The RP Symposium is a space for reflection, dialogue, and action.

Grounded by Indigenous practices, the Symposium centers relationship-building, truth-telling, and mutual care as foundations for social transformation.

The symposium invites participants to:

• Learn about restorative practices and healing-centered responses to hate, bias, and conflict.
• Listen to the lived experiences of those impacted by harm and marginalization.
• Engage in restorative circles, affinity spaces, and panels led by practitioners, scholars, and student leaders.
• Connect across communities through shared commitments to compassionate care, belonging, and accountability.

The Restorative Practices Symposium is a forum to educate and share best practices to create a university community where everyone belongs. Whether you are new to restorative practices or already deeply engaged in this work, we welcome you to join us in learning and healing together.

Stay tuned for announcements about the next bi-annual symposium, or contact BISS to get involved with a region-wide restorative network.