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Social Work

Four academic journeys explored
Vijay Balasubramanian writes equations on a whiteboard with a graduate student

Younger scientists often ask him about exploring multiple fields, Balasubramanian says. The advice he offers is to “have a central line where you have credibility, where you’ve established that you’re really, really good at what you do, and you can be trusted.”

(Image: Eric Sucar)

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.

Kristina García

Exploring sustainable development and the human impact of natural disasters
Chenyi Ma.

Chenyi Ma, a research assistant professor at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice.

(Image: Courtesy of SP2 News)

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.

From the School of Social Policy & Practice

Investigating homelessness
Jennifer Egan and Dennis Culhane sit at a long green table in front of the windows at Kelly Writers House

Jennifer Egan (left) and Dennis Culhane (right) speaking at the Kelly Writers House.

(Image: Zoe Lachter)

Investigating homelessness

In a Kelly Writers House event, writer Jennifer Egan and social scientist Dennis Culhane discuss journalism and the homelessness crisis.

Kristina García

‘Can Technology Spark Joy and Imagination?’
A stage with three chairs, two tables, and a blank screen; Bauermeister and Patton look on as Cogburn speaks.

Bauermeister (left) and Patton (right) look on as Cogburn speaks at the recent lecture “Can Technology Spark Joy and Imagination?”

(Image: Michael Fisher)

‘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.

Kristina García

Challenging the boundaries of STEM
Cynthia Dahl, Pinar Yildirim, Della Jenkins, and Mecky Pohlschröder.

Cynthia Dahl of Penn Carey Law, Pinar Yildirim of the Wharton School, Della Jenkins of the School of Social Policy & Practice, and Mecky Pohlschröder of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke on a panel for the 2024 Women in STEM Symposium.

nocred

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
Aerial view of Paterson, New Jersey.

Image: iStock/Ultima_Gaina

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.

From the School of Social Policy & Practice

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