Home Professional Development Rackham Program in Public Scholarship Institute for Social Change Institute for Social Change The Institute for Social Change (ISC) provides an orientation and gateway for an interdisciplinary cohort of Rackham graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are interested in learning about public and community engaged research, scholarship, and careers within and beyond higher education. ISC 2026 will take place from May 11 to May 15, 2026. Please find a preliminary schedule below for details. The 2026 Institute for Social Change is co-sponsored by the Ginsberg Center. Areas of Focus Preliminary Schedule Areas of Focus To support your professional growth, the ISC focuses on four areas: Introduce you to diverse modes of publicly engaged scholarship through panels, discussions, and reflection activities that explore the practical and theoretical dimensions of publicly engaged work in a variety of professional, community, and organizational contexts. Create opportunities for you to connect with other participants around your public scholarship interests to imagine possibilities for relating your scholarly and/or intellectual interests to community needs and the greater public good. Provide career and/or project mentoring in publicly engaged scholarship and community engagement to increase your confidence in applying your scholarly expertise and skills to collaborations with community partners. Connect participants with resources, training, and funding opportunities available at Rackham and U-M in publicly engaged scholarship and community engagement. During ISC 2026, you will have the opportunity to begin to develop an idea sketch or preliminary plans for a publicly engaged scholarly project relevant to your interests and field. Preliminary Schedule Back to Top Sessions will be held within the days and times below. Please use this information to plan your schedule for participation. A full schedule, including session topics, presenters, etc., will be shared with participants in April, prior to the start of the program. Participants may need to complete small reflection assignments between program dates. May 11, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Location: Rackham Graduate School May 12, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Engagement Group Session #1. Location: Rackham Graduate School May 13, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Off site day. Pickup and return at Rackham Graduate School May 14, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Engagement Group Session #2. Location: Rackham Graduate School May 15, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Location: Ginsberg Center for Community Service Learning (on campus) Sessions will be held in-person on campus in Ann Arbor and at off campus locations (transportation provided). It is not possible to participate remotely/online. Participants applying to the ISC should plan to be available during all these dates and times. Lunch and refreshments provided on May 11, 13, and 15 Transportation provided on May 13 (site visit day) Light refreshments provided on May 12 and 14 Contact the Program in Public Scholarship Hours: The Program in Public Scholarship office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and on university holidays. Location 1530 Rackham Building 915 E. Washington St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070 Contact Email: [email protected]
