The 2023-24 Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series aims to facilitate conversation with preeminent scholars in education on Publicly Engaged Research for Social Justice. The speaker series builds on our historic and current University of Illinois efforts related to community and public engagement, and the increasing expectations of addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools, workplace, and our general society. Ultimately, the speaker series aims to reimagine our role as university actors, catalysts, and social change agents and to spark ways to take accountability, advocacy, and action amidst the challenges and opportunities of building a more equitable, just, and empowered institution and world.