Georgetown University Backdrop

Education and Social Justice Project

Experience and Study Innovative Jesuit Efforts to “Care for the Whole Person”

42
Countries
45
Fellows
12
Years

The Education and Social Justice (ESJ) Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to conduct in-depth examinations of innovative educational initiatives, with a focus on the work of Jesuit secondary and post-secondary institutions. Under faculty supervision, fellows gather information through IRB-approved interviews, analyze best practices, and share their reports and conclusions with a wider global audience.

Engaged Scholarship – The ESJ program helps students to develop critical skills in high-impact, engaged scholarship through mentored, IRB-approved fieldwork showcased in digitally savvy research reports. Fellows develop critical research skills over the course of the three-credit program, receiving one credit for a required research methods course, one credit for their summer field work, and one credit for the production of their final case study. 

Global Outreach – The program embeds students as researchers across the world, uplifting the work of Jesuit institutions serving their communities. By conducting groundbreaking research that responds to the needs of community partners, student fellows contribute meaningfully to the global engagement and promotion of justice that are part and parcel of a Georgetown education.

Lasting Impact – This year-long fellowship has a deep and lasting impact on our Hoyas, exposing students to the possibilities of applying research skills in promotion of the common good. Our global community partners use ESJ research to support competitive grant applications, to advocate to their local and national education officials, and to raise money for their critical work.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

Georgetown undergraduate students at the Main Campus or Georgetown University in Qatar are eligible to participate in the program. Past fellows include students in the College, School of Foreign Service, and the School of Nursing and Health Studies. 

Is there a stipend?

Education and Social Justice Fellows receive a summer stipend. Travel and living expenses during summer fieldwork are also covered by the fellowship. 

Does the program offer course credit? 

Yes, Education and Social Justice Fellows receive three credits if they complete the program in its entirety. Fellows receive one credit for a required research methods course in the spring semester, one credit for their summer fieldwork, and one credit for the production of their final case study. 

Do I have to be an upper-class student to apply? 

We welcome applications from students at all stages of their undergraduate career. We recommend applying in your junior year. 

What is the program duration? 

Although fieldwork takes place for three weeks over the summer, the Education and Social Justice program runs for a full calendar year, beginning in January and ending in December.

When does the application cycle run? 

Applications open in mid-September and are due at the end of October. Interviews are conducted before Thanksgiving break, and decisions are announced in early December.

In early 2010, two Georgetown University centers—the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service—created the Education and Social Justice Project to engage students and build knowledge about the deep connections between the global challenges of poverty and education. The Office of Mission & Ministry joined this collaboration in 2024. It was created with an initial gift from Rodney Jacob (B’86, L’89) and has continued through the generous support of other donors.

20

September

25

October

Application Closes

Early

November

Interviews Conducted

25

November

Fellows Announced

2024 Fellows

Global Research for the Common Good

This map highlights the 43 countries in which our Education and Social Justice fellows have conducted their research projects. Learn more about their projects by clicking on each highlighted country.

Project Impact

Testimonials Slider

Adam Barton

It is hard to emphasize enough how much the experience impacted me. I came into Georgetown not knowing that I cared about research, yet ESJ helped me discover this passion for research to effect social change.

Adam Barton

Jonathan Thrall

I think my ESJ experience was without a doubt, an experience of personal growth, challenge, and perspective-building.

Jonathan Thrall

Brian Dillon

It is rewarding to look back at this as my first serious independent research work, as I am now starting a qualitative dissertation proposal for a doctoral program in educational leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.

Brian Dillon

Brittany Fried

The ESJ Project allowed me to see those broader Jesuit connections and really hit home to the point that I returned to campus and decided to go through the Catholic confirmation process.

Brittany Fried

Mackenzie Price

After the ESJ Project, I am very excited to write my sociology thesis. As taxing as interviews can be, I am excited to do my thesis because I know how to write a research paper. I know that I can do it.

Mackenzie Price

Nick DiRago

I am currently a doctoral student in sociology at UCLA. ESJ was a formative step in my journey towards a career as a social scientist and prepared me to produce the quality of research expected at a top department.

Nicholas DiRago

Gianna Maita

The ESJ Project definitely gave me the confidence to continue doing research. Now, I work at an NGO focused on community development in Cape Town, South Africa.

Gianna Maita

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