INCLUSION

An intrinsic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

At the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), we’re preparing the next generation of changemakers to work tirelessly for social innovation, justice, and impact. 

Throughout its history, the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) at the University of Pennsylvania has dedicated itself to understanding and embracing diversity in its countless forms. Today, our historic commitment to racial and economic justice intersects with a deep commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities that are being marginalized along other axes of oppression. As the world’s understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion has evolved, we have, too. 

SP2 strives to be a space of principled inclusivity, valuing differences of opinion and working to foster an institutional environment where we all think openly, honestly, reflectively, and deeply about questions and ideas that both unite and divide us. For our faculty, students, and staff, inclusion is a multifaceted and intersectional concept. It requires thoughtful examination of how differences related to race, sexuality, gender identity, religion, ideology, mental illness, ethnicity, class, age, and beyond systematically privilege some while marginalizing others. The topics that we grapple with every day—from homelessness and racism to prisoner re-entry and poverty, responsible philanthropy to economic mobility, aging and child welfare—are some of the biggest facing society. They can sometimes seem intractable, but we believe that addressing them through a truly diverse and inclusive lens empowers us to work together to reimagine and rebuild our social world.

Task Force on Race and Social Justice

In 2019, we convened a Task Force on Race and Social Justice to reexamine our efforts and recommit ourselves to this work. The Task Force spent nearly a year meeting with members of the SP2’s community, identifying our strengths and challenges in the areas of race and social justice. This work culminated in a series of recommendations and goals for improving the School’s structure and leadership, school climate, training, curriculum, and admissions and financial aid. In fall 2020, the Standing Committee on Race and Social Justice was established with faculty, staff, and students from each of the five degree programs to provide the infrastructure to develop and steer the plan for implementing SP2’s inclusion goals.

READ THE 2020 Report
plan to implement the task force recommendations
Diversity through excellence

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Students

Our students join us from around the world, bringing with them a host of identities and lived experiences, and embodying SP2’s commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, intersectionality, inclusion, diversity, and social justice. During their time here they engage in innovative research and meaningful fieldwork, striving every day to make lasting change and meaningful impact in Philadelphia and beyond.

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“A central imperative for social work, policy, and practice is the fundamental need to think inclusively about the individuals, groups, and communities these disciplines will affect most. We are resolute in our intention to educate students of social policy and practice to embrace diversity and intersectionality in all its dimensions, and to create cutting-edge scholarship that enables our field to more effectively promote social justice.”

– Sara S. Bachman, PhD, Dean

Program Curriculums

Our focus on social justice demands a multifaceted approach to recognizing and celebrating the many identities, experiences, histories, and aspirations that animate our local and global community. This commitment permeates all five of our rigorous degree programs (MSW, MSSP, NPL, PhD, and DSW), helping bind these programs to SP2’s overarching mission: producing the best social service providers, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders in the world.

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The Penn Experience: Racism, Reconciliation, and Engagement

Launched in 2020, a non-credit asynchronous online course at SP2 aims to establish common basic language and concepts for incoming graduate and professional students to facilitate subsequent difficult conversations about race, racism, and difference in the classroom and beyond.

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Visiting Scholars

Since 1908, the School has served as a temporary home for hundreds of Visiting Scholars joining us from around the world. This tradition of welcoming the best and brightest from abroad continues today, and many international scholars regard SP2 as their research home while in the United States.

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Past DEI Events

As part of SP2’s commitment to the principles of anti-racism, anti-oppression, intersectionality, inclusion, diversity, and social justice, the School offers events that center diversity and inclusion. Recordings of past events can be found below, while details for upcoming events are available on the SP2 calendar.

SP2 Speaker Series: Confronting Racial Injustice and the Inequities of the Pandemic

Hosted by Ben Jealous, Visiting Scholar, Annenberg School for Communication, Carey Law School, and School of Social Policy & Practice and President, People for the American Way, this four-part series will focus on how data-informed social policy and evidence-based practice in social work are being used to identify and design solutions for the complex social problems in America today.

“Race, AI & the New Frontier for Civil Rights”

January 13, 2021

The first event of the series, “Race, AI & the New Frontier for Civil Rights,” featured SP2 Associate Professor Ezekiel Dixon-Roman, PhD and Mutale Nkonde, CEO of AI for the People.

“The Pandemic Economy: Strategies for Economic & Social Mobility”

February 16, 2021

Former City of Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and SP2’s assistant professor and economist Ioana Marinescu discussed economic and social mobility in an event moderated by Ben Jealous, president of People for the American Way.

Racism Sequence

February 16, 2021

Former City of Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and SP2’s assistant professor and economist Ioana Marinescu discussed economic and social mobility in an event moderated by Ben Jealous, president of People for the American Way.

Events

03/29

Defender Association Presentation

A team of staff and social workers from the Defender will be talking about the mission and work of the Defender Association and the role of social work in serving […]

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Events

03/29

Art@SP2 Opening Reception

Art will be on display from faculty, staff, and students that represents and affirms the diversity of our SP2 community. Featured artists: Alma Figueroa-González Codi Smith Devon Ciampa Halla Anderson […]

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News

Student Life

03/21

Amber Hikes, MSW’08

SP2 announces Amber Hikes, MSW’08, as 2023 commencement speaker

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) announced today that SP2 graduate Amber Hikes, MSW’08, (they/she), current Deputy Executive Director for Strategy & Culture for the ACLU, will deliver the School’s 2023 Commencement speech on May 13. Learn more from today’s message from SP2 Dean Sara “Sally” S. Bachman, PhD.

Contact Us

Joretha N. Bourjolly, MSW, PhD

Associate Dean for Inclusion

215 898 8444

jerri@upenn.edu

Related Links

WHO WE ARE >

STUDENTS: DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION >

SOCIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES >

BIAS REPORTING FORM >

ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS (INCLUDING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT) >