Performing an Experiment in Civic Hope: Building Partnerships Across the Sciences and the Arts to Pursue Community Wellbeing

May 3, 2021 | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | virtual event | join via Zoom

Jenna Coalson, Assistant Professor of the Practice, Biological Sciences and Eck Institute for Global Health 

Brad Burgess, Artistic Director, The Living Theatre 

The COVID-19 pandemic exploited existing economic and health disparities, lack of trust in institutions, political polarization, and failures in communication and outreach. These problems were not new, merely exacerbated by the pandemic, highlighting the critical need for rebuilding with a more resilient, equitable, and just society. Addressing such complex challenges demand innovation that crosses traditional boundaries, both academic and societal. As we prepare to move forward as a society, what can the Arts and Sciences do together to work towards building better public health and wellbeing in our community? What are the missing links that can be better connected, calculated, or communicated?

Local representatives in the arts, sciences, and community activism have been developing ideas that engage these questions. Join us in performing this experiment in Civic Hope! Be ready to give your feedback, and lookout for possible opportunities to partner with some of the more than 15 community experts and organizers who are looking to innovate for the benefit of the Michiana population.

Please indicate if you will join by completing this registration(link is external) form by 4:00pm, May 3, 2021

Democratic Engagement on Campus: A Look at ND Votes Pre and Post the 2020 Election Cycle

April 19, 2021 | 11am -12:15pm | virtual event | join via Zoom

ND Votes Leaders: Rachel Sabnani, Matthew Cotner, Patrick Aimone, Madeline Ward, Adair Molinsky

Jay Brandenberger: Director, Assessment and Engaged Scholarship

Lulama (Lulu) Moyo, Community Engaged Learning Program Assistant Director

NDVotes, supported by the Institute for Social Concerns, the Rooney Center for American Democracy, and the Minor in Constitutional Studies, is a strong advocate for democratic and civic engagement at the University of Notre Dame. Their efforts during the 2020 Presidential election cycle were exceptional. Please join us as the ND Votes leadership team shares their experience and vision for campus democratic engagement. They will present results from the ALL IN Campus Challenge that Notre Dame participated in, and explore what it means to integrate campus democratic engagement efforts during a time of polarization. Jay Brandenberger will also share data from a November study of campus voting trends and perspectives. We welcome faculty/staff, students, and community partners within Notre Dame and the consortium to take part in this Engaged Learning Forum to discuss democratic engagement goals within your own areas as we look to bridge networks and integrate efforts.

Nurturing Community During Times of Upheaval: A Case Study of Community-University Collaborative Events During COVID-19

March 30, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. | virtual event | Join via Zoom

Ludy McCollester, Community Engaged Learning Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club, South Bend

Lulama Moyo, Institute for Social Concerns University of Notre Dame

David Lassen, Institute for Social Concerns at the University of Notre Dame

This Engaged Learning Forum will explore theory and best practices around community-university partnerships in times of crisis. The session will focus on identifying and responding to a variety of types of crises, comparing the slow-moving, chronic crises that community-university partnerships often address and faster-moving crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of a local case study, the ELF will also explore the creation, design, and impact of a series of specially-designed community-centered, collaborative conversations that were part of the Engaged Learning Forum Summer Series from May to July 2020. These events and the existing literature suggest a six step crisis identification and response model that can be used in future crises. This will be an interactive discussion that will invite participants to evaluate recent responses to COVID-19 and begin to draft organizational response plans.