Save the date for Pitt’s Community Engaged Scholarship Forum on March 3

Each year, Pitt elevates, celebrates and reflects on collective approaches to community-engaged scholarship at the University at its Community Engaged Scholarship Forum (CESF).

The annual event is an opportunity for faculty, students, staff and community members to present their community-engaged work, discover new avenues of partnership, network and celebrate Pitt's commitment to community engagement.

The 2026 forum theme, "Community-Centered Futures," explores how to intentionally plan for economies, organizations and neighborhoods that move regional development forward for the radical benefit of our communities.

The forum will be held March 3, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., in the William Pitt Union.

Award nominations are open

The forum serves as the venue to honor projects with awards - including the Partnerships of Distinction, the Soska and Wilds Outreach and Engagement Leadership, and the CESF Collaboration Champion awards.

Partnerships of Distinction

This annually recognizes up to three outstanding partnerships that are exemplars of community engagement. Each award consists of a $2,000 operating grant to support partnership activities. All awardees are honored publicly. Learn more and submit nominations by Dec. 19.

CESF Collaboration Champion Award

The CESF Collaboration Champion Award recognizes a member of the Pitt community or a community partner who has made significant contributions to the University's culture of collaboration, further sustaining and supporting the institution's commitment to strengthening communities through teamed work. The award is open to any member of the greater Pittsburgh region as is not limited to the University of Pittsburgh community. Submit a nomination by Jan. 16.

Tracy Soska and John Wilds Outreach and Engagement Leadership Award

This award honors a faculty member or staff engagement professional who serves Pitt through their outstanding dedication to University-community connections. Through their contributions, the awardee strengthens the institution's knowledge, understanding, practice and reflection on the opportunities of community-based collaboration. Nominees must have been employed by the University for at least five years from award conferral. Submit a nomination by Jan. 16.

Submit a workshop or poster proposal

While the individual efforts of teams and communities have resulted in shining examples of what is possible through engaged scholarship, increasingly interconnected approaches to problem solving that result in partnerships are needed to advance multiple aspects of community resilience. The forum invites workshop proposals and poster presentations that explore opportunities to work across organizations, disciplines, and sets of solutions that mobilize previously disconnected efforts in creative ways. Submit by Jan. 16.

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski