Stories

‘Public safety and education are not mutually exclusive’

Notre Dame Programs for Education in Prison and the Jesuit Prison Education Network held a conference last week to launch the Consortium for Catholic Higher Education in Prison.

The gathering included administrators and faculty from 20 Catholic universities, corrections officials from 15 states, and several graduates of college-in-prison programs.

Events

Is the American labor movement reviving?

Professor Dan Graff, director of the Higgins Labor Program, will lead the discussion at this month’s Labor Café. All are welcome, and all opinions are entertained!

Friday, Nov. 1, 5:00–6:00 p.m.

Geddes Hall, Coffee House

Webinar: Generosity and medicine

Dr. Sneha Mantri of Duke University School of Medicine and Dr. Abraham Nussbaum of Denver Health will join the conversation on Virtues & Vocations’ monthly webinar.

Monday, Nov. 4, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

online via Zoom

Postgraduate service panel with alumni

Hear from alumni who have worked at different service organizations, including Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Amate House, and Teach for America.

Monday, Nov. 4, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Geddes Hall, Coffee House

Farm of the Child information session

Come out to hear volunteers talk about their experiences working with vulnerable children at Farm of the Child, a Catholic home for children and community center in Honduras.

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Geddes Hall, Room 135

Opportunities

Call for papers and panel proposals

This conference will examine two significant Vatican II texts, Gaudium et spes and Dignitatis humanae, which together invited serious consideration of the Church’s role in relation to the state.

Deadline: Friday, Nov. 1

Eat dinner and learn about the CST Minor

Faculty and students in the Catholic Social Tradition Minor will talk about how understanding human dignity, the common good, and solidarity shapes them.

Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:00–6:00 p.m.

Geddes Hall, Coffee House

First-year students: NDBridge is for you!

All first-year students can apply for this immersive summer research experience that includes living alongside marginalized communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Information session:

Monday, Nov. 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Geddes Hall, Coffee House

Where will your moral compass lead you?

Sophomores and juniors can hear about Social Concerns Summer Fellowships at these info sessions: 

Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Geddes Hall, Coffee House

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2:00–3:00 p.m.

online via Zoom

On our shelf

Poverty & Public Policy: Fall 2024 Issue

The latest issue of the journal presents original research articles exploring the relationship between poverty and a number of factors, including natural disasters, maternal support remittances, and governance. The work spans locations from sub-Saharan Africa to Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Scenes from the Center

Above: On Oct. 16, we celebrated that we are now flourishing as the Institute for Social Concerns by giving out daisies in our official colors and cookies decorated with the institute logo. Our name changed, but we continue to be committed to growing justice, rooted in the common good.

Below, clockwise from left: Our Graduate Justice Institute, held over fall break, gathered 15 graduate students from across the University to explore models of public scholarship and community engagement through dialogue at sites in Indianapolis and around South Bend. Bestselling author Lauren Groff talked about “what makes a story true” at our MVP Fridays event on Oct. 11. The institute and Notre Dame Student Government co-sponsored a Community Engagement Fair on Oct. 4 for students to learn about opportunities for internships, research, postgraduate service, and more with campus and community organizations.

Community of scholars

As an interdisciplinary academic institute, 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.

Ozioma “Ozzie” Oguine is a third-year Ph.D. student in computer science and engineering, specializing in human-computer interaction.

He works in the EPOCH Research Lab directed by Professor Karla Badillo-Urquiola. The lab is dedicated to exploring how technology design impacts people’s lives and how it can be improved. Oguine’s research focuses on understanding and promoting online safety and well-being for marginalized youth.

Over the summer, he interned at the Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, DC, where he developed a keen interest in the policy aspects of this research. You can read about his findings in “Why Teen Perspectives are Crucial for Shaping Online Safety Policies.”

Oguine was a Graduate Justice Fellow at the Institute for Social Concerns during the 2023-24 academic year.

How did you become interested in tech design and the ways it can help teens from marginalized groups be safer online?

As a Black man with a disability, my personal experiences navigating spaces that weren’t always designed with people like me in mind shaped my interest in tech design. Growing up, I often found myself excluded or overlooked by systems that weren’t accessible or inclusive. This sparked my desire to work in technology, not just to participate, but to help create spaces where everyone, especially marginalized groups, could feel safe and included.

Youth are at a crucial stage of development, marked by exploring their identities and seeking meaningful connections with others. My focus on supporting the online safety of teens from marginalized groups stems from recognizing their heightened vulnerability in online spaces. Youth from minority communities often encounter unique risks online, such as cyberbullying, harassment, and exposure to harmful content, which can significantly impact their well-being and development. My research aims to understand the unique online experiences of youth from marginalized backgrounds and develop solutions that address their diverse needs, ultimately providing them with safer and more empowering online experiences.

What are some of your research findings?

Empowering teens to keep themselves safe online requires developmental teen-centric approaches that encourage informed decision-making. Rather than just blocking content or blurring images, which can increase curiosity, providing teens with information through “nudges” helps them make responsible choices. This approach fosters a sense of agency and promotes safer online behavior.

Additionally, news media often emphasize the risks and dangers of online technology, promoting fear around online safety. While these concerns are valid, they frequently overlook the benefits that online technologies offer to youth. Our research suggests adopting a more strength-based perspective to study online safety, focusing on how technology can positively support teens’ growth and development.

Is there any art or media that has inspired you?

Alice Wong’s “Disability Visibility” has been especially inspiring to me. It’s a collection of stories from people living with disabilities, showing how sharing these experiences can change perspectives and foster self-acceptance. The book taught me that my perspective matters and that how I share it with the world is important.

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