RESEARCHVisiting Students and Scholars
Since its founding in 1908, the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) has served as a temporary home for hundreds of Visiting Scholars from throughout the world. The tradition of welcoming scholars from abroad continues today and is reflected in the many international scholars who regard SP2 as their “research home” while in the United States.
Administrative and financial arrangements relating to Visiting Scholar appointments are highly individualized; in every case, they require a substantial level of self-financing. Proposals for Visiting Scholar appointments are submitted to the Dean for approval by the faculty host. Visiting scholars whose research aligns with the school’s interests will be considered and shared office space will be offered when available. The visiting scholar is encouraged to present their research to the SP2 community before returning home. Visiting Scholars may be appointed for a maximum of two academic semesters.
For our part, SP2 provides Visiting Scholars with an SP2 faculty sponsor, access to our world-class library and on-campus events, and introductions to other scholars at Penn who share similar or related research interests (if requested).
Opportunities also may exist for the development of ongoing collaborative research projects between Visiting Scholars and members of the School’s permanent faculty.
Visiting Students and Scholars
2020 – Present
Name | Title | Local Affiliation | Academic Year |
---|---|---|---|
Yaacov Yablon | Visiting Scholar | Bar-Ilan University | Summer 2022 |
Amyer (Huangjuan) Liu | Visiting PhD Student | Renmin University of China | 2019 - 2020 |
Xi Chen | Visiting PhD Student | Renmin University of China | 2019 - 2020 |
News
Alumni
07/25

Alumni Q&A | Ayesha Amin, MSSP’18
SP2 alumna Ayesha Amin, MSSP’18, is a feminist activist, gender expert, and founder of Baithak – Challenging Taboos, a women-led grassroots organization advancing gender justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and climate justice across Pakistan. We reached out to her to learn more about her time at SP2 and the transformative work she’s leading.
News
Alumni
07/22

SP2 alumna reflects on the enduring power of a social work education
Seven decades after graduating from Penn’s School of Social Work, Sonia Triester, MSW’55, remains deeply connected to the School and its mission.
News
Alumni
07/17

Alumni Q&A | Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD ’11
SP2 alumna Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD ’11, is a health equity researcher, public health educator, and the Victor Heiser, MD Professor of Population Health at Jefferson’s College of Population Health. We reached out to her to learn more about her time at SP2 and her path to advancing health equity through research and education.