RESEARCH CENTERS & PROJECTS
Furthering groundbreaking scholarship in the passionate pursuit of social justice
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
02/03

SP2 faculty among “World’s Top 2% Scientists”
Nine SP2 faculty are listed among the Stanford University-Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists for the past two years or on the basis of career-long data. The ranking is calculated with data representing academic citations and peer-reviewed journal publications.
News
Faculty & Research
01/23

SP2’s Top News of 2024
A look back at 2024 highlights the School’s excellence in education and research, as well as SP2’s deep commitment to addressing human well-being across multiple dimensions.
News
Faculty & Research
01/22

SP2 researchers receive awards and recognition at SSWR 2025 Annual Conference
Following the 2025 Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, SP2 is celebrating recipients who were recognized at the annual awards presentation and a faculty member who has reached a significant milestone.