Institute stories
Institute Stories
Read stories about our work for justice at the Institute for Social Concerns. To receive these stories in your inbox each month, subscribe to The Current, our newsletter featuring stories, events, opportunities, and other updates about the institute. You can also review past issues on The Current newsletter page.
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Photo story: McNeill Winter Plunge
The McNeill Winter Plunge, a one-credit course offered by the Institute for Social Concerns, serves as a purposeful bridge between the classroom and the world’s most pressing needs. Inspired by the legacy of the institute’s founder, Rev. Don McNeill, CSC, the course is a carefully designed curriculum of proximity, accompaniment, and inspiration.
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Tattoos on the body and the heart—Graduate Justice Fellow Joachim Ozonze pursues vocation of healing justice
Fr. Boyle gave Ozonze complete access to Homeboy Industries in East Los Angeles. Throughout November 2025, Ozonze lived in the local Jesuit community, worked alongside the “homies,” and interviewed those willing to share their story. He paid close attention to the daily rituals, particularly the “morning meeting.”
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Walking the walk of reentry—Reentry simulation challenges students to confront the reality of life after incarceration
On Friday afternoon of Walk the Walk Week, the Institute for Social Concerns hosted a reentry simulation in Remick Commons. This immersive experience—centered on a deep collaboration with community partners—was designed to mirror the first four weeks of life after returning from incarceration. Students from across the University gathered for the two-and-a-half-hour event, where the…
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ReSearching for the Common Good: Giulia Gliozzi
The Institute for Social Concerns leverages research to respond to the complex demands of justice and to serve the common good. This series, ReSearching for the Common Good, highlights some of the scholars in our community.
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Doing justice, delivering change—Institute launches interdisciplinary minor
Through its Justice & Society Minor, the institute calls students who refuse to simply study the world as it is. Students who instead desire to be the spark for change.
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ReSearching for the Common Good: Madeline Ward
The Institute for Social Concerns leverages research to respond to the complex demands of justice and to serve the common good. This series, ReSearching for the Common Good, highlights some of the scholars in our community.
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Making the unimaginable possible—Institute brings creative writing workshops into county jail
In partnership with Notre Dame’s Department of English, the Institute for Social Concerns coordinated two six-week series of workshops, one for men and one for women—the first time Notre Dame has offered such programming in the county jail.
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Catholic social teaching in a digital age—an interview with Megan Levis Scheirer
As an engineer housed at the Institute for Social Concerns, Megan Levis Scheirer is bringing Catholic social teaching (CST) to bear on digital technology.
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Measuring moral imagination—Institute pilots assessment tool with Appalachia seminars
The summit convened scholars and administrators from across the University—as well as some from across the country—to discuss issues at the heart of Brandenberger’s research: the significance of higher education in society, the impact of community-engaged scholarship, and the importance of seeking common good through civic and democratic participation.
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As learning becomes service to justice—higher education summit marks Brandenberger retirement
The summit convened scholars and administrators from across the University—as well as some from across the country—to discuss issues at the heart of Brandenberger’s research: the significance of higher education in society, the impact of community-engaged scholarship, and the importance of seeking common good through civic and democratic participation.