The ongoing efforts to strengthen research partnerships in the South Bend community were the focus of a panel discussion among leaders at the University of Notre Dame and the City of South Bend. The November 14 conversation highlighted collaborative projects already underway and explored opportunities for deeper engagement that can create lasting impact across the region.
The panel included City of South Bend Mayor James Mueller, Chief Innovation Officer Denise Riedl, Notre Dame’s John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research Jeff Rhoads, and faculty director of the Center for Broader Impacts (CBI), Gina Svarovsky. Tim Sexton, Notre Dame’s associate vice president for public affairs, served as moderator. The event was hosted by CBI and welcomed city partners and members of the Notre Dame research community.
“What excites me most is building relationships that endure beyond a single grant—a reciprocal partnership between the University and the city with shared goals and a common understanding,” Svarovsky said.
She described CBI’s work in helping faculty connect their research to local needs.
“We work with faculty, researchers, and community partners to expand and amplify the impact of Notre Dame’s research, especially here in the local and regional community,” Svarovsky added.
Svarovsky highlighted a recent example of that partnership: a project led by architecture professor Ming Hu that uses machine learning and Google Street View data to help the city identify homes that could benefit from affordable energy retrofits.
Rhoads reflected on how the University’s research mission directly connects to community engagement, citing partnerships with the Beacon Health System and Under Armour as examples of how Notre Dame research supports innovation and local economic growth.
“Our research shouldn't just explain the human condition—it has to improve it, starting here in our region,” he said. “When the city thrives as a place to live, work, and play, it helps us attract the best faculty, staff, and students. That positive feedback loop is powerful.”
Mueller spoke about the strength and momentum of these research partnerships and how they tie into the quality of life for residents.
“We’ve never had a stronger partnership, and research gets at the core mission: bringing a world-class university to bear on our community’s toughest problems,” he added.
He also discussed the need for flexibility in city leadership.
“The city can’t control what’s thrown our way, but we can adapt and move forward,” Mueller said.
Throughout the panel discussion, leaders reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening connections between research and community priorities. As Svarovsky concluded, “Partnerships like these help us shape a future where academic innovation and community progress go hand in hand.”
Original story published on https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/news on November 21, 2025.