Mpact Conference

When:
Wed, Mar 25, 2026 - 8:30AM
to
Fri, Mar 27, 2026 - 12:30PM

Where:
Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center

Host:

Speakers:

 

Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as the Rita Allen Foundation, Sage Publishing, BSOS, ARHU, and the Division of Research, the 2026 Mpact Conference will explore a number of key themes, including:

  • assessing and optimizing the impact of community-engaged research on policy, practice, and economic development
  • addressing grand challenges through partnerships
  • trustworthy and human-centered artificial intelligence applications
  • best practices for advancing social innovation
  • exploring the future of funding for public impact research

Learn More and Register

A wide range of speakers will be featured at the conference from organizations including the American Association of Universities, AAAS, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Council on Education, American University, Association of Public & Land-grant Universities, Boston University, Dana Foundation, Data and Society, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, National Humanities Alliance, NSF, Open AI, Optimal Solutions, Penn State University, Pew Charitable Trusts, Sigma Xi, Towson University, UCLA, University of Missouri, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Virginia.

The event will bring together key networks across the above themes, with approximately 200 representatives from academia, government, industry, and the nonprofit sector expected to attend. The program will explore how best to address critical challenges collaboratively with partner organizations and communities, drawing from expertise across a variety of fields, in particular the social sciences, humanities, and arts, to achieve positive societal impact.

For more information contact Ted Knight at teknight@umd.edu.

How to Register:
Registration for external guests is $95. UMD faculty, staff, and students are eligible for a discount registration rate of $45 for the Mpact Conference, which allows you to attend all three days of the conference and includes the cost of two lunches and three breakfasts.

When registering for the conference, please use the following code to get the $45 rate:
26MPACT45 

Register