RESEARCH CENTERS & PROJECTS
Furthering groundbreaking scholarship in the passionate pursuit of social good
Research Centers
Students, faculty, and collaborators connect in SP2’s research centers to further groundbreaking scholarship in areas such as philanthropy, aging, social impact, children’s policy, violence and abuse, and guaranteed income.
Center for Carceral Communities
Works collaboratively with neighborhoods in West Philadelphia to help people with a history of incarceration re-engage with the community
Center for Guaranteed Income Research
An applied research center that specializes in cash-transfer research, evaluation, pilot design, and narrative change
CENTER FOR HIGH IMPACT PHILANTHROPY
The only university-based center with a singular focus on philanthropy for social impact
Center for Social Impact Strategy
Alternative learning opportunities equip those who seek to make a social impact through the application of practical research and our community of educational partners and mentors
Center for PUBLIC SERVICE AND POLICY
A dynamic R&D hub and do-tank embodying a steadfast commitment to drive equitable economic mobility through research, innovation, and partnership
Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research
A collaboration of SP2, Penn’s schools of Law, Medicine, Nursing, Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School of Education, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this center is focused on reform of the child welfare system
Ortner Center on Violence & Abuse
Dedicated to increasing women’s well-being by identifying societal changes that might affect violence against women and girls
Initiatives and Special Projects
From encouraging social innovation to promoting economic security and well-being, SP2’s special projects uphold Penn’s commitment to engage both locally and globally on interdisciplinary cooperation and professional development.
ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE FOR SOCIAL POLICY
Aims to encourage social innovation and social policy experimentation so that governments can work better, smarter and faster
A research lab with collaborators worldwide focused on research and policy to improve health equity, efficiency, resource allocation, and governance
Penn Center for Inclusive Innovation & Technology
Advances health equity, opportunity, and social welfare in Philadelphia and beyond through innovation grounded in values and principles of social justice
A research initiative focused on examining the ways in which youth of color navigate violence on and offline
Focuses largely on interrogating gender inequality in education and health with a goal toward generating empirical research to support inclusive policies and practices.
News
Faculty & Research
06/17
Report: Newark guaranteed income pilot shows positive financial, health, family, and housing impacts
New research from the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) offers insight into the efficacy of different forms of unconditional cash transfers and reveals the positive impact of guaranteed income on low-income families in Newark, NJ.
News
Student Life
06/13
SP2 celebrates 2025 Doctorate in Clinical Social Work graduates
At the 2025 Commencement ceremony for Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), eighteen students were awarded their Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW). As part of the ceremony on Saturday, May […]
News
Student Life
06/13
Largest-ever PhD class graduates from Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice
At the 2025 Commencement ceremony of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), eight students earned their Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) degrees — the largest graduating cohort in the program’s history.