Princeton launches ‘A Year of Forward Thinking’ engagement campaign

Princeton University has launched “A Year of Forward Thinking,” a community engagement campaign that invites Princetonians and others to join in a conversation focused on responding to the challenges facing the nation and the world.

Spanning the 2020-21 academic year, “A Year of Forward Thinking” is grounded in the University’s informal motto, In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity, and will feature the voices of the University’s “forward thinkers” — students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends — who are pioneering solutions to key issues.  Topics will include COVID-19; systemic racism; access, affordability, and inclusivity in higher education; environmental studies; social justice and democracy; data science and bioengineering.

As part of this effort, a new website, forwardthinking.princeton.edu, will help introduce the community campaign and provide examples of ideas in research, teaching and engagement that underscore how fortitude and innovation can help us look to the future.

The initiative will also spotlight online events, including “Forward Fest,” an online series that kicks off on Oct. 23-24 and will continue throughout the year. The events, featuring an array of faculty voices from a variety of disciplines, will be free and open to the public.

“As we confront the challenges of COVID and reckon with systemic racism, we have been tested as a nation and as a University,” said Provost Deborah Prentice. “It is important that we come together as Princetonians. We are not going to hunker down — we’re meeting the moment with creativity and resolve. Our faculty are finding extraordinary ways to innovate as they teach remotely; and through their research, they are advancing real-world solutions across all disciplines. Princeton students are meeting the moment with incredible resolve and excellence. Staff members support the community with great enterprise, whether working from home or providing essential services on campus. And our alumni provide both great inspiration and invaluable support.”

What are you thinking forward this year? Check out forwardthinking.princeton.edu; share your stories, ideas and inspiration with @Princeton and @Princetonalumni using #PrincetonForward; and email [email protected].