Common Good Award

Each spring, the Center joins the Office of Research & Innovation in supporting outstanding research and scholarship among students at two separate symposiums:

The Center recognizes and rewards research from any discipline that aligns with Duquesne's Catholic, Spiritan mission, particularly our commitments to:

  • The dignity and equality of all persons
  • Working with vulnerable populations for systemic change
  • Preserving justice, peace, and integrity of creation.

Research Projects Eligible for the CCFC Common Good Award 

Research projects in the liberal arts, business, the professions, the sciences and music all bear on our prospects for nurturing the common good.

The common good refers to the array of tangible and intangible social conditions (e.g., food, shelter, education, healthcare, happiness, human dignity) that are necessary to promote the flourishing and well-being of all persons. Supporting and working for such universal rights is a foundational pillar of the Catholic faith which advocates for a more just society for all, regardless of economic or social status, faith tradition, race, culture, etc.

Your research might include, but is not limited to, projects that address:

  • Specific social problems, such as health disparities, climate change, racism or education inequality
  • Theoretical approaches to global issues such as human rights and theories of justice
  • Religious traditions, including or beyond Catholicism, and their import on making the world a better place (e.g., promoting tolerance, social justice, etc.).
    Watch this video to learn more about The Common Good.

Criteria for Evaluating Projects

All students whose research projects are accepted for the Graduate Student Research Symposium will be considered for the Common Good Award if their projects meet the following criteria.

Topical Relevance for the Common Good

  • Focused primarily on a topic that is pertinent to the common good of persons
  • Demonstrated alignment with Duquesne's Catholic, Spiritan mission
  • Engagement with resources (concepts, theories, scholars, texts, communities, etc.) from Catholic or other religious traditions.

Scholarly Merit

  • Clearly defined research agenda
  • Demonstrated familiarity with relevant literature
  • Depth of analysis
  • Critical thinking and originality

Communication of Research

  • Effective use of poster format

CONGRATULATIONS  2023 RECIPIENTS

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD 
Gregory Jones, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
Contestant Theology: Toward a Play Theology of Religions
Faculty Advisor: Radu Bordeianu 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD 
Samiya Henry, Physics | School of Science and Engineering  
In the Beginning, God Created Atoms
Faculty Advisor: William Wright