Social Work

Desmond Patton stands with arms crossed in front of a window, which mirrors his image

Desmond Patton and the science of being human

Penn Integrates Knowledge University professor Desmond Upton Patton discusses his research in social media and violence, finding an interdisciplinary career in social work, communication, data science, and psychiatry, and why his open-mindedness never stops.

Kristina García ・

People queueing in line during the pandemic.

Guaranteed income improved people’s health during the pandemic

Associate professor Amy Castro of the School of Social Policy & Practice shares the final results from the Stockton pilot program, which show connections between financial security and better health.

From the School of Social Policy & Practice Juliana Rosati ・

Graphic illustration of essential worker delivering groceries to an older couple

The pandemic’s impact on individual generosity

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect people’s volunteering, donating, and helping behaviors? A report by SP2 faculty and students summarizes a nationally representative study aiming to answer this question.

From the School of Social Policy & Practice ・

A depressed African American woman looks out a window.

Researching depression in low-income women

The importance of addressing depression among low-income women in multiple contexts is a theme of recent research by April Ivey, Jacqueline Corcoran, and others at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice.

From the School of Social Policy & Practice ・

A woman wearing a mask and a white lab coat sits at a table covered in a colorful tablecloth, pills, and packages of medication

Sex workers’ rights

A Fulbright award augments Toorjo Ghose’s work to document and support the social movement happening among sex workers in India against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kristina García ・



In the News


NPR

Places across the U.S. are testing no-strings cash as part of the social safety net

Stacia West of the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the School of Social Policy & Practice says that guaranteed income payments improve people’s psychological wellbeing by reducing their distress. Amy Castro, also of the Center, points out that such programs are expensive, so important questions need to be asked.

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Irish News

New book examines sectarianism and the housing crisis in Northern Ireland

In her book “In Power, Politics and Territory in the New Northern Ireland,” Elizabeth DeYoung of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that sectarianism has contributed to the housing crisis in Northern Ireland and continues to influence decision-making on the needs for homes.

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LA Times

California says its new gun law is about public safety. But what about these women?

Susan B. Sorenson of the School of Social Policy & Practice says there is no evidence that carrying a gun makes women who have been abused safer.

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The New York Times

Can a big village full of tiny homes ease homelessness in Austin?

Dennis Culhane of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that tiny homes are better for homelessness than shelter but still don’t meet America’s housing standards.

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Governing

Guaranteed-income programs pick up steam

Researchers at the School of Social Policy & Practice released a report suggesting that a new approach to addressing poverty in St. Paul, Minnesota, has worked as intended.

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MarketWatch

Quality of life for older LGBTQ+ New Yorkers to be improved under new commission

According to research from Penn, people aged 65 and older are the fastest-growing group of people without housing.

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