stories
Institute Stories
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Putting a stamp on the community—Institute collaborates with Dismas House on mural honoring returning citizens
The mural is the culmination of a semester-long collaboration between Dismas House and the Institute for Social Concerns.
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Embracing discomfort for the sake of others—Physician Tom Catena offers powerful reflections on the joy of service at 2025 Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture
Dr. Tom Catena’s remarks were fitting for a lecture series that honors Fr. Bernie Clark who died young but influenced students with the life lesson of a “theory of enough,” a philosophy that encourages people to shift from a mindset of endless accumulation to one of sufficiency and gratitude.
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A break for justice—Graduate and professional students from across University participate in the Graduate Institute for Engaged Teaching and Research
A select group of 14 graduate and professional students joined the annual Graduate Institute for Engaged Teaching and Research at the Institute for Social Concerns on October 22–24.
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ReSearching for the Common Good: Brett Foster
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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Internationally recognized physician Tom Catena to visit Notre Dame
Physician, humanitarian, and medical missionary Tom Catena will visit the University of Notre Dame on Nov. 12 (Wednesday) to deliver the 2025 Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture at 5 p.m. in the Eck Center Auditorium.
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Suzanne Mulligan on ‘Dilexi Te’—a spotlight on increasing inequality
In the summer of 2024, Ty Harrington ’26—a program of liberal studies (PLS), philosophy, and theology major from Carmel, Indiana—spent eight weeks studying the intersection of Indian philosophy, spirituality, and care for the earth in Mumbai, India, through a Social Concerns Summer Fellowship at Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV).
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ReSearching for the Common Good: Jenifer Guadalupe Solano Becerra
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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Engaging South Bend—University faculty explore research collaborations with regional organizations through institute’s Engage South Bend tour
On September 26, a new group of nearly 20 faculty from across the University participated in the 2025 Engage South Bend tour, visiting locations in the Kennedy Park, Near West, Near Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast neighborhoods, as well as downtown South Bend. At each stop, they spoke with Notre Dame faculty or community members about…
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Two paths, one destination—Postbaccalaureate research fellows join the institute to research mass incarceration
The Postbaccalaureate Fellowship is organized around three major components. First, each fellow is developing a substantive research project related to their work. Second, they engage with institute staff in discernment work on next steps as they pursue a life committed to justice. And, finally, they work in collaboration with community members and organizations focused on…
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Extraordinary good for this world—Researching for the Common Good Symposium celebrates undergraduate summer research
Maya Tello was one of six research award recipients, joined by fellow NDBridge participants and Social Concerns Summer Fellows who were among the 283 students who participated in the institute’s programs across 149 partner organizations in 36 countries last summer.