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School of Social Policy & Practice

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‘The passionate pursuit of social justice’
dennis culhane teaching in a classroom

Homepage image: “The mission of the School of Social Policy & Practice is the passionate pursuit of social justice,” says Dean Sara Bachman. Indeed, in their work, the established faculty at SP2 address the issues of homelessness, substance use, the carceral system, data and quantification, guaranteed income and universal basic income, the foster care system, and how to maximize philanthropic impact.

‘The passionate pursuit of social justice’

The School of Social Policy & Practice addresses social inequities through research.

Kristina García

The pandemic, health inequities, and an ‘opportunity for change’
covid global map

As a global pandemic, COVID-19 spread across the world. But it didn’t hit everyone equally. “Being healthy is essential to human flourishing,” says Jennifer Prah Ruger, who advocates for shared norms in health governance to address global inequalities. (Image: Martin Sanchez, also featured on homepage)

The pandemic, health inequities, and an ‘opportunity for change’

Experts across the University weigh in on which lessons the pandemic drove home and what immediate measures are needed to prevent future loss.
Penn Vet dual degrees: The student experience
From left to right: Jaclyn Camus, Anna Shirosky, Caitlyn Tukdarian

From left to right: Jaclyn Camus, Anna Shirosky, and Caitlyn Tukdarian. (Images: John Donges/Penn Vet)

Penn Vet dual degrees: The student experience

The expansion of the dual degree program is timely, given the recent perfect storm of a pandemic; growing awareness of social, racial and economic inequity; and increased impact of climate change .

From Penn Vet

How child tax credits will affect American families
Woman sits at a desk with a baby

Approximately 39 million households across the country will receive the child tax credits, which are projected to cut child poverty in half, says Amy Castro Baker.

How child tax credits will affect American families

Social scientists Amy Castro Baker and Pilar Gonalons-Pons weigh in on how expanded child tax credits beginning July 15 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will impact poverty, gender relations, and future policy

Kristina García

‘Global Health Justice and Governance’
An image of an earth surrounded by word bubbles describing public health issues like "a lack of global strategy" and "facade of altruism"

There are multiple issues leading to fragmenting and global health inequality, according to Jennifer Prah Ruger. Global health is an issue of justice, not charity, she says. 

‘Global Health Justice and Governance’

In a special issue of the journal Global Health Governance, seven experts reflect upon Jennifer Prah Ruger’s call for a new model of global public health that prioritizes equity and cooperation between nations and agencies.

Kristina García

The world according to Walter Palmer
Wearing a suit and tie, Walter Palmer stands outside of Penn's School of Social Policy and Practice with his hands in his pockets.
  • Q&A

    • The world according to Walter Palmer

    The educator, organizer, and alumnus discusses his six decades of activism, growing up in the Black Bottom, studying and teaching at Penn, his work at CHOP, the student strike of 1967, the Vietnam War, Frank Rizzo, Donald Trump, school choice, gun violence, the Chauvin trial, and why he thinks racism should be declared a national public health crisis.
    Fighting poverty with cash
    Illustration depicting basic needs like food, shelter, transportation, and dollar signs.

    Image: Stephen Schudlich

    Fighting poverty with cash

    Amy Castro Baker has helped deliver promising data out of Stockton, California, about the effects of giving people no-strings-attached money every month. Now boosted by a new research center at Penn that she’ll colead, more cities are jumping on board.