Kenneth Hackett ’68, H’06, who has served as both U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and president of Catholic Relief Services, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Advancing Research and Scholarship at Boston College event, which will take place Dec. 11 from noon-5 p.m. in the Heights Room of Corcoran Commons.

Research and the Common Good logo

“Research and the Common Good” is the theme for this year’s symposium, which is aimed at inspiring and fostering collaborations across the BC community. Faculty members and students from throughout the University will share their research and insights to address societal problems and contribute to the common good.

Following Hackett’s talk, which will include a Q&A, there will be two faculty presentation sessions featuring Connell School of Nursing Assistant Professor Nadia Abuelezam; Law School Liberty Mutual Insurance Professor Patricia McCoy; Associate Professor of Moral Theology Andrea Vicini, S.J., chair of ecclesiastical faculty at the School of Theology and Ministry; Lynch School of Education Kearns Professor Mary Walsh; BC School of Social Work Associate Professor Rocio Calvo; Carroll School of Management Professor Mary Cronin; and Assistant Professor of Sociology Gustavo Morello, S.J.

Kenneth Hackett ’68, H’06
Kenneth Hackett ’68, H’06

The research highlighted at these sessions addresses issues such as HIV and health disparities, global public health and sustainability, social protection and immigration, and aging in a digital society.

Between the faculty presentations will be a Q&A and panel discussion, “Common Good in the Jesuit-Catholic Place of Research,” moderated by Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., and School of Theology and Ministry Dean Thomas Stegman, S.J.

The symposium will close with student research presentations, followed by remarks by University President William P. Leahy, S.J., who also will present Hackett with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

For more details, and to register for the event, click here.

–University Communications