Register here Anna Moreland is the chair and director of the Villanova University Honors Program and Thomas W. Smith is dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at The Catholic University of America. Moreland and Smith will discuss their recent book, The Young Adult Playbook: Living Like It Matters and their work in education for flourishing among undergraduates. We hope you will join the Institute for Social Concerns each month for the Virtues & Vocations lunchtime webinar series, Conversations on Character & the Common Good. There is always time for audience questions. Virtues & Vocations is a national forum for scholars and practitioners across disciplines to consider how best to cultivate character in pre-professional and professional education. Virtues & Vocations hosts faculty workshops, an annual conference, and monthly webinars, and engages issues of character, professional identity, and moral purpose through our publications.

This workshop steps into the nuanced world of AI prompt engineering, focusing on how carefully constructed prompts can mitigate biases inherent in large language models. Participants will use an AI image generator to better understand their own biases in the process of prompt engineering and learn a step-by-step approach to building prompts that promote fairness and inclusivity. Facilitated by: Roberto Cásarez, Academic Technology and AI Literacy SpecialistFormat: Discussion and Hands-On ActivitiesAudience: Faculty, staff, students Session Objectives:Recognize the concept of user bias in AI systems and its potential impact on generated content Identify biases in AI-generated content, including ageism, sexism, classism, and racial biases Learn scaffolded prompt construction as a systematic approach to bias mitigation Engage in collaborative discussions to share insights, challenges, and potential solutions related to bias in AI-generated contentPart of the Tech for Good series being presented during Walk the Walk Week by Teaching and Learning Technologies (Office of Information Technology), the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Hesburgh Libraries), Notre Dame Learning, and the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights Originally published at learning.nd.edu.

“Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.”—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie In the heart of Texas, where its vast southern expanse meets the rugged terrain of Mexico, lies a border in El Paso, Texas, and Cd. Juarez, Mexico, that has long served as a focal point of human migration, hope, and hardship. It’s a region where countless stories unfold daily—stories of human courage, desperation, and resilience. Yet, for those who have never walked its dusty paths or felt the weight of uncertainty that hangs heavy in the air, the reality of life along the U.S.-Mexico border remains distant and abstract. The stories of Latin American and Mexican migrants are frequently overshadowed by political rhetoric, resulting in a one-dimensional portrayal that lacks the depth and humanity of the migrant experience. This often leads to a misunderstanding of their challenges and contributions to society. There is a critical need for innovative methods that can communicate these experiences authentically and compellingly to a broader audience. Facilitated by: Steven Varela, Director, OIT Teaching and Learning Technologies; Arlene Montevecchio, Associate Director, Klau Institute for Civil and Human RightsFormat: 1-hour Presentation/DiscussionAudience: Administrators, faculty, staff, students Session Objectives: The Virtual Borders project leverages the power of XR to serve as an inclusive technology that can transform perceptions and foster deeper understandings of the complex experiences faced by Latin American and Mexican migrants as well as border culture. Through this discussion, we aim to educate, engage, create empathy, and inspire diverse audiences, making a substantial impact on public discourse around migration and diversity, equity, and inclusion by:Critically assessing media and public discourse on migration, distinguishing between factual information and misinformation Recognizing the role of dignity by analyzing migration stories and reflecting on human dignity in the context of global migration issues.Part of the Tech for Good series being presented during Walk the Walk Week by Teaching and Learning Technologies (Office of Information Technology), the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Hesburgh Libraries), Notre Dame Learning, and the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights Originally published at learning.nd.edu.

It’s been a little over 60 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, but the messages from that speech resonate today. “MLK: Now is the Time” is an immersive journey that explores key themes of Dr. King’s speech and highlights systemic inequities that persist in our society. Through first-person stories and interactions, “MLK: Now is the Time” drops a participant into a thoroughly modern interpretation of a contemporary March on Washington. This immersive session leverages the power of extended reality (XR) to provide a unique and impactful learning experience. Facilitated by: Horane Diatta-Holgate, Program Director of Inclusive Pedagogy, Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence; XR Collective Format: Discussion/Workshop10:00–11:30 a.m. (in VR headsets for registrants); 12:00–1:00 p.m. (Lunch/discussion); 1:00–3:00 p.m. (in VR headsets for registrants)Audience: Administrators, faculty, staff, students Session Objectives: Through XR simulations and discussion, our objectives for the workshop/discussion include:Empathetic Understanding: Participants will step into the shoes of individuals from various backgrounds, gaining insight into the challenges they face.Interactive Scenarios: Participants will engage in real-life scenarios, facilitated by XR, to make decisions and/or navigate situations to learn DEI principles.Safe Space for Dialogue: Participants will have opportunities for open discussions, sharing experiences, and learning from one another in a supportive environment.Practical Tools for Inclusion: Receive guidance on implementing inclusive practices in both personal and professional spheres, leveraging XR as a tool for positive change.Part of the Tech for Good series being presented during Walk the Walk Week by Teaching and Learning Technologies (Office of Information Technology), the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Hesburgh Libraries), Notre Dame Learning, and the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights Originally published at learning.nd.edu.

The Labor Café recognizes Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitments to human dignity, equality of opportunity, and decent work for all as we devote a special session to the place of immigrants in the labor market, economy, and social fabric of the American nation. Facilitator: Z Zavala (POLS & HIST ’27) A dozen short pieces to get the conversation started (non-required reading; feel free to dip into any or all):“Explainer: Immigrants and the U.S. Economy,” Migration Policy Institute, Oct. 2024 “The U.S. benefits from immigration but policy reforms needed to maximize gains,” Economic Policy Institute, Oct 4, 2024 “Tax Payments by Undocumented Immigrants,” Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, July 30, 2024 “The H-1B Visa Program and Its Impact on the U.S. Economy,” American Immigration Council, Jan 3, 2025 “Immigrants drive Nebraska’s economy. Trump’s mass deportations pledge is a threat,” NPR, Jan 22, 2025 “Don’t Call Trump’s Plan 'Mass Deportation',” City Journal, Jan 21, 2025 “Pope Francis calls Trump’s plans of mass deportation of immigrants ‘a disgrace’” AP News, Jan 20, 2025 “Which industries are most vulnerable to Trump’s immigration crackdown?” CBS News, Jan 23, 2025 “These immigrant workers shined a light on labor abuse. Will Trump let them stay?” NPR, Jan 15, 2025 “As President Trump declares a border emergency on Day 1, California’s targeted immigrants lie low,” CalMatters, Jan 20, 2025 “Immigrants Are a Vital Part of Kentucky Communities,” Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, Jan 17, 2025 “Escaping Oklahoma: A Worker’s Story From Inside an Illegal Marijuana Operation,” ProPublica, Aug 16, 2024-- Labor curious? Visit the Labor Café — where ND talks work! The Labor Café convenes the Notre Dame community for casual conversation on contemporary questions about work, workers, and workplaces. What rights and protections should those who work for others have? What’s the proper role for government in the economy? How should we address enduring problems of inequality, poverty, and lack of opportunity? And what does Catholic social tradition have to say about these labor questions? Participants choose the concrete topics, all people are welcome, and all opinions are entertained.

John Green, author of The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet will be the 2025 Ruskin Lecturer.   The End of the World as We Know It: John Green offers some thoughts on apocalypse, endings, and whether human hope is truly justified. Plus, there will be some jokes, I promise!Originally published at reilly.nd.edu.