Vanderbilt University Invites Proposals for Community Engagement Symposium

Vanderbilt University is calling for proposals for its inaugural “Bridging Campus and Community: Community Engagement Symposium.” Scheduled for April 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon, this event aims to celebrate the collaborative efforts that connect teaching, research, creative work, and service to the public good. The symposium will take place on the Vanderbilt campus and is open to faculty, students, staff, and community collaborators.

The symposium intends to showcase projects that not only strengthen learning but also spark innovation and demonstrate the impact of community-engaged work across Middle Tennessee and beyond. Proposals should be presented in a poster style, allowing participants to share their work with colleagues, university leaders, and community partners.

Who Can Submit Proposals?

Vanderbilt encourages a diverse range of participants to submit proposals, including:

– Undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and student organizations
– Faculty, researchers, and staff from all schools and centers
– Community partners collaborating with Vanderbilt teams

Proposals may highlight various initiatives, such as course-based community-engaged learning projects, research-practice partnerships, and participatory or action research. Submissions can also focus on creative works, public humanities, arts-based collaborations, and public service initiatives across areas like policy, health, environment, and civic engagement.

Submission Guidelines and Key Dates

Interested participants should include essential information in their proposals, such as:

– A title and brief description of the project
– Names and affiliations of presenters, including community partners when applicable
– Learning objectives connected to community-engaged scholarship

The deadline for proposal submissions is March 20, 2026. Proposals can be submitted online through the university’s designated portal.

The symposium is organized by the Division of Government and Community Relations, in partnership with the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy, the Program in Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership, and the Vanderbilt Community Engagement Collaborative faculty working group.

This event presents a valuable opportunity for participants to engage with the broader community and demonstrate the significance of collaborative efforts in education and social impact.