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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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 […]

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 […]

News

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.