Common Ground
Common Ground: Exploring the Intersection of Trust and Community
A civic communication series
Common Ground is a civic communication series focused on rebuilding trust and strengthening social connections in Chattanooga and beyond. The series brings scholars, journalists, and practitioners to campus to speak on questions of public consequence.
All events are free and open to the public. Faculty, students, and community members are encouraged to attend and take part in the discussion.
Common Ground is presented by the West Chair of Excellence in Communication and Public Affairs and the UTC Department of Communication.
Fall 2026
Eric Klinenberg
Common Ground: The Power of Social Infrastructure
Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Hayes Concert Hall, UTC
Free and open to the public
Author of Palaces for the People, Klinenberg examines how shared public spaces, from libraries to parks, can help build stronger communities.
Robert D. Putnam
Common Ground: Rebuilding Social Capital in America
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Hayes Concert Hall, UTC
Free and open to the public
Author of Bowling Alone, Putnam’s work has profoundly influenced how we understand the decline, and the potential renewal, of civic life in the United States.
Media and promotion
Event graphics are available on request. For more information, contact Brandon Bouchillon, West Chair of Excellence in Communication and Public Affairs, at [email protected].