Collaborations with Community

Collaborating for the common good

Our approach to community incubates democratic collaborations between community members and Notre Dame faculty, staff, and students that catalyze evidence-based sustainable interventions to local challenges.

Collaboratory

Taylor Nicoletti moderates the discussion on gun violence in South Bend

The South Bend Citizens Collaboratory is community of individuals and organizations committed to the flourishing of our shared home: South Bend. Bringing together community wisdom and experience with Notre Dame faculty expertise, the goal of the Collaboratory is to cultivate long-term, impactful partnerships in service of justice and the common good. The approach, grounded in Catholic Social Tradition, is deeply relational, dignity enhancing and community centric. Specific projects emerge from enduring relationships and shared commitments.

Carceral Engagement

Professor looks at student's work

As a national leader in providing best practices for carceral engagement, the institute seeks to expand, deepen, and evaluate the transformative impacts of prison education, create avenues for faculty and student research, provide career development and reentry support, and cultivate communities of practice locally, statewide, and nationally.

Gatherings

MVP Fridays: Meaning Values Purpose. Tackling big questions.

MVP Fridays

Join us Friday afternoons on home football weekends for lectures by national leaders, journalists, and writers on questions of meaning, values, and purpose.

Bryan Stevenson on stage at the Morris Center

Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Annual Lecture

The annual Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture was created by the Institute for Social Concerns in 2009 in order to highlight justice issues and themes related to the common good. Recent speakers include Bryan Stevenson, Colson Whitehead, and Clint Smith.

Junior Parents Weekend Lecture

The Junior Parents Weekend Lecture hosts national writers and journalists to speak to Notre Dame parents, their children, and other attendees. Recent speakers include Eliza Griswold and Elizabeth Bruenig.

Poverty Studies Distinguished Lecture

Our 2025 Poverty Studies Distinguished Lecture featured bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Andrea Elliott, who spoke on “Poverty, Survival, and Hope.” Past lecturers include Matthew Desmond.