11/15
Social Work
Four academic journeys explored
Vijay Balasubramanian and Tukufu Zuberi in the School of Arts & Sciences, Amy Hillier in the School of Social Policy & Practice, and Brittany Watson in the School of Veterinary Medicine share their academic paths toward interdisciplinary work.
Exploring sustainable development and the human impact of natural disasters
The School of Social Policy & Practice’s Chenyi Ma focuses on the social determinants of health and behavioral outcomes in disaster contexts, including public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigating homelessness
In a Kelly Writers House event, writer Jennifer Egan and social scientist Dennis Culhane discuss journalism and the homelessness crisis.
‘Can Technology Spark Joy and Imagination?’
In the 2024 Albert M. Greenfield Memorial lecture hosted by Penn Nursing, Desmond Upton Patton and Courtney D. Cogburn discussed how social media and AI might foster well-being.
Challenging the boundaries of STEM
Female faculty and staff from the School of Social Policy & Practice, the Wharton School, and Penn Carey Law shared how they integrate science, technology, engineering, and math into their work.
How guaranteed income affected a New Jersey city
Research from Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice finds a guaranteed income program in Paterson offers both financial relief for many participants and is a blueprint for future policy initiatives.
First-of-its-kind study analyzes digital mourning practices of gang-affiliated youth
A study led by Desmond Patton utilizes social work, communications, and data science to explore how gang-affiliated Black youth use Twitter content, photos, and emojis to memorialize the deceased and navigate feelings of grief and loss.
Philanthropy and social change
With its free annual toolkit, the Center for High Impact Philanthropy helps donors create a bigger impact.
Increasing minimum wage has positive effects on employment
The results of a new study from Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice applies to the fast-food sector and the entire low-wage labor market.
National Academy of Medicine elects five new members from Penn
Kurt T. Barnhart, Christopher B. Forrest, Susan L. Furth, Desmond Upton Patton, and Robert H. Vonderheide are among 100 new Academy members elected this year, one of the highest honors in health and medicine.
In the News
When Kentucky bans homeless camps, where do people go?
Dennis Culhane of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that criminalizing street camping will simply force homeless people to sleep somewhere else, saddling them with bench warrants and unpayable fines.
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AI helps organization send poorest households impacted by Helene and Milton $1,000
According to Stacia West of the School of Social Policy & Practice, research on guaranteed income programs shows that recipients spend the money on essential needs.
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AI is being used to send some households impacted by Helene and Milton $1,000 cash relief payments
Stacia West of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that no one budgets better than a person in poverty.
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Los Angeles is at a crossroads on homelessness
Dennis Culhane of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that rental-assistance programs are a less expensive solution for homelessness than building new housing, with lessened administrative costs and burdens.
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Los Angeles’ $22-billion homelessness problem gives leaders a choice: Double down or change strategies
Dennis Culhane of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that Los Angeles should shift its focus from supportive housing construction to helping homeless and at-risk Angelenos pay their rent on the private market.
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Why we should normalize therapy for grieving caregivers
Lauren Rhodewalt of Penn Medicine shares what spousal caregivers facing a loss need to know about navigating a path forward with therapy.
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