Why Understanding History Matters for Research
Join us for the final session of the 2025-26 Community-Engaged Research Series, “Why Understanding History Matters for Research,” on Friday, March 27, 10:30 – noon, at the Urbana Free Library. Attendees are invited to explore why understanding history matters for research and community impact by viewing the Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit and participating in a panel discussion. The exhibit is on display at the Urbana Free Library through March 29, 2026. Why Understanding History Matters for Research March 27 | 10:30 – 12 p.m.
Urbana Free Library SCHEDULE 10 – 10:30 a.m. | Exhibit viewing 10:30 – 11 a.m. | Community coffee and chat, Lewis Auditorium 11 a.m. – noon | Panel discussionDr. Barbara Suggs-Mason and Angela Rivers, Co-Chairs of the Champaign County African American Heritage TrailDr. Stephen Boppart, Director, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences InstituteDr. Kevin Tan, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, School of Social Work (moderator) Following brief remarks from exhibit partners and stories of the Underground Railroad from East Central Illinois and beyond, the panelists will explore how historical awareness should shape our research priorities. Participants will engage in reflective dialogue to identify actionable ways to integrate historical insight into community-engaged research and public scholarship, advance social justice, and strengthen community trust, while ensuring that our collective research agenda honors the lived experiences and historical contexts of our communities. Please register by March 19 so that we may accommodate all participants. The Community-Engaged Research Series is organized by the College of Education, Center for Social & Behavioral Science (CSBS), and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with co-hosts College of Applied Health Sciences, College of Fine and Applied Arts, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and School of Social Work. This event is partially funded by a Healing Illinois grant. Healing Illinois is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with Field Foundation of Illinois and United Way of Champaign County.