Join the Penn State Center Philadelphia for a series of transformative conversations with experts and leaders in community engaged research and practice. Every Wednesday this spring, we will explore topics designed to foster co-inquiry and cross-pollination.

Speakers will delve into critical issues surrounding research and community relations, including trust, power dynamics, ethics, and accountability. Together, we will confront current political crises and challenges to education, democracy, human rights, and innovation, aiming to empower community and university change makers with a sustainable, empathic, and powerful approach.

Speaker Series Events

Transformative Approaches to University-Community Partnerships

When: May 21, 2025
Where: Online Event
Dr. Kristen Goessling and Carly Pourzand will share how the Philadelphia team uses participatory action research to address systemic inequities and drive real-world change, bringing their model to life through stories from place-based work.

 July 2025

A Roundtable Discussion with all Speakers from the Series — Reflecting, Assessing, and Looking Forward

Moderated by Dr. Kristen Goessling and Carly Pourzand

All speakers from the series will return for a collaborative roundtable to reflect on lessons learned, assess collective progress, and envision next steps for community-based research and engagement.