Table Talk
Have you ever wanted to connect with a faculty member but couldn't find the right opportunity? The Table Talk program creates the perfect setting to have meaningful conversations with Duke faculty and staff over a delicious meal!
The Table Talk program at Duke University was established to foster informal interactions between graduate and professional students and faculty or staff members. Recognizing that such engagements can enhance students' sense of belonging and contribute to their success, the initiative provides selected students with funds to host on-campus meals with faculty or staff. This opportunity encourages discussions on a wide range of topics, from personal and professional goals to shared interests, thereby strengthening the campus community. Notably, the Table Talk pilot was among the inaugural recipients of the Heaton-Blackshear Innovation Grant, a fund created to empower Duke staff to develop innovative programs that serve the campus community.
The program runs two cohorts each academic year—fall and spring semesters.
Table Talk is your gateway to meaningful conversations about your career, research interests, and academic journey. Students across Duke have already discovered the value of these connections. Ready to create your own Table Talk story? Apply now!
- enrolled in a Duke Durham campus-based graduate or professional program for the full academic year
- physically located in Durham, NC and available to attend a meal on-campus during the following cohort semester
- expected to graduate in the following year or later
- have not used funds in the current academic year
- Submit your application to be considered for selection HERE
- Application Timeline - January 7th - 21st 2026 for the Spring Cohort
- The Table Talk program coordinators will review your application and notify you of their decision by email.
- Upon approval, you'll receive instructions for scheduling your meal and accessing funds to dine with a Duke faculty member or administrator.
- Marketplace – JB Duke Hotel (Reservations Required)
- Fairview Dining Room – Washington Duke Hotel (Reservations Required)
- The Commons – Brodhead (Reservations encouraged)
- Legal Grounds (Duke Law)
- Zweli’s (Duke Divinity)
- Twinnie’s (Fitzpatrick)
- Saladelia Café (Sanford)
- Nasher Café (Nasher Museum of Art)
- Terrace Café (Duke Gardens)
- Freeman Center Café (Freeman Center for Jewish Life)
- Café 300 (Swift Ave)
- JB’s Roasts and Chops (Brodhead)
- The Skillet (Brodhead)
- Gothic Grill (Bryan Center)
- Devil’s Krafthouse (Brodhead)
Dining facilities hours of operations can be found here: https://campushours.oit.duke.edu/places/dining
Student Experiences:
Occupational Therapy Doctorate student Fatima Al-Sarakbi Hernandez used her Table Talk funds to get a meal with Dr. Abigail Carroll, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, at the Duke Fairview Dining Room. “The conversation was academically stimulating and inspiring,” she said. “Dinner was overall super delicious, and we had a great time!”
The experiences have been incredible. One Duke student connected with their senior associate dean: "Meeting him over a meal/coffee was something I had been looking forward to, and I'm grateful that this program made it possible," they told Graduate & Professional Student Services. "During our conversation, we discussed my journey at Fuqua so far… and he even provided me with valuable advice for my future. This lunch was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my graduate student life."
The conversations often lead to unexpected discoveries and opportunities. As one student shared: "We ended up having a 3-hour conversation about psychiatry, forensics, mushroom foraging, and our mutual love of true crime documentaries. This was such an awesome way to open the door to reaching out to a faculty member that I didn't know but worked in a field I was really interested in."
These connections can even open doors to hands-on learning experiences. One student's conversation led to an invitation to observe forensic evaluations, helping them choose their residency specialty. Another student found a mentor with similar interests but in a different field, broadening their professional perspective.