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
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.