Public Purpose Symposium

Public Purpose Symposium

September 17, 2026

Event Details

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Sanford Hall (various locations)

Public Purpose Symposium 2026

 

Join the Hart Leadership Program for the second annual Public Purpose Symposium as we celebrate and explore community-engaged research and leadership in conversation with Hart Leadership Program students. Throughout the day, you'll have opportunities to hear students share their learning from collaborative community-based projects, connect with peers and alumni, and take part in lively conversations about making an impact through research and service. From poster sessions and lunchtime roundtable discussions to a special keynote address, the Symposium invites attendees to explore public purpose while highlighting both the creativity and the real-world relevance of student work in partnership with communities.

 

SCHEDULE

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Hart Leadership Student Poster Sessions exploring community-engaged research and leadership (coffee and refreshments provided)

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Lunchtime Roundtable Discussions Facilitated by Past Hart Fellows (sign up required, lunch provided)

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Hart Leadership Student Poster Session

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Sanford 04)

Keynote Address by Maria Balinska, former Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright Commission (co-sponsored with the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy and the Sanford Program in American Grand Strategy)

 

To attend a lunchtime roundtable, you must register ahead of time. Registration will open in late August and close on September 10th.

All events held in Fleishman Commons, Sanford School unless otherwise indicated.

All are welcome!

Please be in contact with Dr. Lucy Ballard (lucy.ballard@duke.edu) with any questions about the Public Purpose Symposium.