A WELCOMING STUDENT COMMUNITY
Community is more than just a commitment; it’s at the very core of SP2.
Now and throughout our history, the School of Social Policy & Practice has been dedicated to fairness, enhancing the social good, and making our world a better place through practice, policy and research.
Our students, from an array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, embody these values in both theory and practice. They bring them to life every day by engaging in innovative policy and research, doing work that makes a real difference here in Philadelphia and beyond.
Students Making a Difference
From working on refugee resettlement policy to exploring housing issues, our students are making an impact on social issues faced by people from an array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
One Book, One SP2
Each year, SP2 selects a book to be read by students, faculty, staff, and alumni prior to beginning the academic year. Throughout the school year, the community is invited to participate in activities and discussions related to that year’s work. One Book, One SP2 underscores our commitment to community building and fostering social good.

RESEARCH
Research at SP2
Student organizations
Connecting with Peers
SP2 is home to student organizations devoted to supporting one another.

Events
02/19
The Politics of Well-Being: Place and Well-Being
Where we live matters. Join us for the next session in the Politics of Well-Being series, exploring the geography of well-being: how neighborhood infrastructure, environmental justice, urban design, and housing […]
Events
02/23
The AI Shift: How Generative Technologies Are Transforming Daily Life, Work, and Education
Our February speaker is Betty Chandy, Director for Technology Integration and Learning at Catalyst at Penn Graduate School of Education (GSE). Learn more about the talk below and register at […]
News
Faculty & Research
02/16

Alice Xu receives Best Dissertation Award from American Political Science Association
Dr. Alice Xu, assistant professor at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), has received the 2025 Mancur Olson Best Dissertation Award by the American Political Science Association (APSA).