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
Faculty & Research
03/27
SP2 launches social work affiliate program with HUP and CHOP
Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), in an innovative partnership with the Departments of Social Work at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), has established a first-of-its-kind social work affiliate program.
News
Student Life
03/27
SP2 announces alumnus Dr. Shadrack Osei Frimpong as 2026 commencement speaker
Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) has announced that SP2 alumnus Dr. Shadrack Osei Frimpong, NPL’19, a global health leader and scholar whose work focuses on occupational neurology, will deliver the School’s 2026 Commencement speech on May 16.
News
Alumni
03/24
Building pathways to opportunity: A Q&A with Lori Margolin, MSW’82
In this Q&A, MSW graduate Lori Margolin reflects on what drew her to SP2’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program, the accomplishments she’s most proud of, and what she looks forward to in the next chapter of her work.