Institute for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame

Institute for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame Together building a more just future

The Center for Social Concerns is an interdisciplinary institute responding to the complex demands of justice through a combination of justice education and research for the common good. We bring people together to think carefully about the world's most pressing social concerns in order to develop creative and effective approaches to addressing them.

We're thrilled to welcome Kevin Hargaden to the institute's faculty! Hargaden is joining the institute from Dublin’s Jes...
08/31/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Kevin Hargaden to the institute's faculty! Hargaden is joining the institute from Dublin’s Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, bringing a wealth of scholarly experience at the intersection of Catholic social teaching and public policy.

We're hiring!We are looking for a Senior Research Associate with deep expertise in character education, virtue developme...
08/28/2026

We're hiring!

We are looking for a Senior Research Associate with deep expertise in character education, virtue development, and higher education to become a core member of the Virtues & Vocations team at the Institute for Social Concerns.

Virtues & Vocations is a national social movement to reimagine the cultivation of character across the professions. This aspirational, cross-professional learning community understands thriving professions are the backbone of thriving societies and knows professional excellence requires both competence and character.

Rooted in the University of Notre Dame’s founding commitment to vocational formation guided by a storied tradition of distinctively multi-disciplinary virtue education and scholarship, Virtues & Vocations invites students, scholars, and practitioners to experience the wonder and joy of a movement that fosters character in context and boldly contributes to the revival of genuine morality in civil society and the professions.

Read more and apply at careers.nd.edu/search-careers/3743990014894636-senior-research-associate

Please submit your application by September 10.

"The problem was that whenever I considered 'earning a living,' I thought mostly about the 'earning' and nothing about t...
08/28/2026

"The problem was that whenever I considered 'earning a living,' I thought mostly about the 'earning' and nothing about the 'living." – Rev. James Martin, S.J.

Don't miss our 2026 Bernie Clark Lecture with Fr. Martin *this afternoon* at 4:00 at Geddes Hall.

Fr. Martin will join Suzanne Shanahan, the Leo and Arlene Hawk Executive Director of the Institute for Social Concerns, for a fireside chat to kick off the new academic year, with a conversation that we hope will inspire students, faculty, staff, and community members to pursue the joyful work of faithfully building character and the common good.

Fr. Martin will be introduced by John T. McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost of the University of Notre Dame.

Reception to follow.

A keynote event in Notre Dame Forum 2026–2027.

Co-sponsors: Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion (), Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business (), Mendoza College of Business, and Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise, and Society ().

For the 2026 Bernie Clark Lecture, the Institute for Social Concerns is delighted to host Rev. James Martin, S.J., a Jes...
08/26/2026

For the 2026 Bernie Clark Lecture, the Institute for Social Concerns is delighted to host Rev. James Martin, S.J., a Jesuit priest and author of several bestselling books, including his recently released spiritual memoir, Work in Progress.

Fr. Martin will join Suzanne Shanahan, the Leo and Arlene Hawk Executive Director of the Institute for Social Concerns, for a fireside chat to kick off the new academic year, with a conversation that we hope will inspire students, faculty, staff, and community members to pursue the joyful work of faithfully building character and the common good.

Fr. Martin will be introduced by John T. McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost of the University of Notre Dame.

Friday, Aug. 28, 4:00p, Andrew Auditorium, Geddes Hall. Reception to follow.

A keynote event in Notre Dame Forum 2026–2027.

Co-sponsors: Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion (), Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business (), Mendoza College of Business, and Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise, and Society ().

The Social Concerns Welcome Back Bash is back!Wednesday, Aug 26, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, outside Geddes Hall, west of the He...
08/25/2026

The Social Concerns Welcome Back Bash is back!

Wednesday, Aug 26, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, outside Geddes Hall, west of the Hesburgh Library (or in Geddes Hall in the event of rain).

Join us for a live petting zoo, food, games, and lots of giveaways as we kick off the new academic year!

Learn more about all of the courses, programs, minors, research, and community engagement opportunities offered by the institute.

At the Institute for Social Concerns, we take on the world’s hardest questions — poverty, climate change, injustice, ine...
08/23/2026

At the Institute for Social Concerns, we take on the world’s hardest questions — poverty, climate change, injustice, inequality, and more. But while the work is serious, we believe joy fuels justice.

For 40+ years, we’ve partnered with 30,000+ students and 600+ community organizations to blend scholarship, moral inquiry, and action that advances human dignity and flourishing.

This year, Magnificent Humans reminds us that:

🌎 Justice is interdisciplinary.
🤝 Justice is collaborative.
🎉 Justice is full of joy.

Join us. Be part of the work. You are a magnificent human.

🔗 Learn more at our link in bio.

At the Institute for Social Concerns, you can:🌎 Engage with the most pressing issues of our time🤝 Learn directly from th...
08/23/2026

At the Institute for Social Concerns, you can:
🌎 Engage with the most pressing issues of our time
🤝 Learn directly from the people most impacted
🚀 Grow in ways that transform your studies — and yourself

Whether you have a week, a semester, a summer, or more, there’s a place for you here. Whatever your major, you can be part of the work for a more just world.

Learn more at the link in bio or DM us to get started!

08/19/2026

Still on the fence about joining us in Appalachia this fall? Take a peek inside the experience!

Last fall, we handed our students some disposable film cameras as they hit the road. From laughter and late nights to small moments of reflection, here's a glimpse of the unforgettable week they had 📸🎒.

There’s still time to sign up for an Appalachia Seminar for this fall. This one-credit course combines classroom learning with a weeklong immersive experience over fall break. Explore the history of injustice and the ongoing pursuit of the common good in the Appalachian region!

For more details, see https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/education/undergraduate/programs/appalachia/

Through the Institute for Social Concerns’ Summer Fellowship, neuroscience major Lizette Hanson ’27 is working with Holy...
08/17/2026

Through the Institute for Social Concerns’ Summer Fellowship, neuroscience major Lizette Hanson ’27 is working with Holy Cross Health Education Center in Kulaura, Bangladesh. The center serves the health care and health education needs of residents, most of whom suffer from malnutrition and lack of access to care.

While at the center, Lizette is researching how essential medical services can be distributed more fairly and efficiently in the region and how to address the structural barriers in place that are keeping that from happening.

Through her fellowship, Lizette is gaining firsthand exposure to family medicine, helping her narrow down her future practice area.

Read more about the Summer Fellowship to learn how you can seek the common good through your major and future vocation: https://bit.ly/4b0Rnzy.

Did you know the institute has a slate of programming for graduate and professional students? From our 3-day Graduate In...
08/12/2026

Did you know the institute has a slate of programming for graduate and professional students?

From our 3-day Graduate Institute for Engaged Teaching and Learning over fall break to our 1-year Graduate Justice Fellowship and Justice Labs, the institute offers a signature set of opportunities that help define a distinctive graduate and professional experience at Notre Dame–options that connect students from all disciplines to see their work through a lens of justice.

Building on his experiences as a 2022–23 Graduate Justice Fellow, Fr. Joachim Ozonze spent a month last fall at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, where he was able to learn from founder Fr. Gregory Boyle and the staff and residents.

Read more about Fr. Joachim’s experience and consider applying for one of our graduate and professional offerings!

For more details, see https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/education/graduate/

Address

Geddes Hall
Notre Dame, IN
46556

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15746315293

Website

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