Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service
Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service

Center-Wide Events

In collaboration with many campus and community partners, the Center for Social Justice hosts several Center-wide events during the academic year. Check CSJ’s Announcements to find out about upcoming center-wide events. Contact CSJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Andria Wisler, with any inquiries about these center-wide events.

CSJ Annual Awards

Each year the Center for Social Justice spotlights the past year’s work by students, community members, faculty, staff and campus partners, while also looking forward to the continued commitment to service and engagement in our communities. Numerous awards are presented to individuals, groups, and partners based on peer and CSJ staff nomination and announced on CSJ’s Instagram feed.

CSJ Open House

As part of New Student Orientation, CSJ sponsors an Open House at which new and returning Hoyas can drop by to learn about the dozens of opportunities through which they can engage with community via service, activism, advocacy and research. The Open House is the afternoon on the Tuesday before the start of Fall semester classes. CSJ also participates in the annual Council of Advisory Boards (CAB) Activities Fair and GAAP weekends. 

Global Social Justice Research Symposium

In collaboration with the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, the Georgetown Office of Fellowships, and Awards & Resources (GOFAR), and the Georgetown University Research Opportunities Program (GUROP), CSJ hosts an annual symposium to feature social justice-based research from undergraduate fellows and recent alumni. Research is presented by the Education & Social Justice Research Fellows, the David F. Andretta Summer Research Fellow, and representatives from the Raines Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowship, and Kalorama Fellowship. The Symposium is typically the last Friday in September.

Hunger and Homelessness Week

CSJ’s HOME Program and its student organization, H.O.P.E., partner annually in November to host Hunger and Homelessness Week. The week typically includes an event amplifying the voices of those experiencing homelessness. 

Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ)

Every year, CSJ and Campus Ministry collaborate to send a delegation to the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice, hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network. The Teach-In is the largest gathering of #JesuitEducated partners on social justice. Participants learn about efforts for solidarity across the globe, reflect, and advocate in a community that sees faith and justice integrally linked. CSJ actively recruits students from all faith backgrounds to represent Georgetown’s diversity in our virtual Hoya delegation. Questions about the commitment and experience can be directed to CSJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Andria Wisler.

Social Justice Send-Off

The Social Justice Send-Off is an annual commencement event that celebrates graduating seniors who have engaged in social justice and public service work during their time at Georgetown and recognizes students who plan to pursue social justice and public service after graduation. The event is collaboratively planned with several campus units and is held at 10am on the Friday morning of Commencement Weekend in the Healey Family Student Center Social Room, followed by cake and lemonade.

Teach the Speech Teach-In

Each year, a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is chosen for faculty and staff to incorporate into their educational spaces during the academic year through this University-wide co-curricular initiative. Over the past ten years, these texts have included “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (2013), Dr King’s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech (2016), “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence” (2017), and “Where do we go from here?” (2020). CSJ and CNDLS hosts a Teach the Speech Teach-In at the beginning of the Spring semester. These distinguished guests have included Dr. Ibram X. Kendi (2017), Catherine Coleman Flowers (2020), Dr. Vicki Crawford (2023), and Dr. Orisanmi Burton (2024).

Workshops

Throughout the academic year, CSJ offers workshops to support our students’ continued development as tutors, mentors, advocates, and community-based researchers, as well as to deepen their understanding of social in/justice. All Georgetown community members are welcome to attend the workshops.