Research Centers & Projects
Furthering groundbreaking scholarship in the passionate pursuit of social good
Research Centers
Students, faculty, and collaborators connect in SP2’s research centers to further groundbreaking scholarship in areas such as philanthropy, aging, social impact, children’s policy, violence and abuse, and guaranteed income.
- Center Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) Aims to encourage social innovation and social policy experimentation so that governments can work better, smarter and faster Explore the Center (opens in a new tab)
- Center Center for Climate Resilience (CCR) Advancing the science and practice of climate adaptation and resilience by catalyzing groundbreaking research and bringing world-class researchers and policy, community and industry partners together to scalable, evidence-based solutions. Explore the Center (opens in a new tab)
- Center Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) An applied research center that specializes in cash-transfer research, evaluation, pilot design, and narrative change Explore the Center (opens in a new tab)
- Center Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP) The only university-based center with a singular focus on philanthropy for social impact Explore the Center (opens in a new tab)
- Center Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) Alternative learning opportunities equip those who seek to make a social impact through the application of practical research and our community of educational partners and mentors Explore the Center (opens in a new tab)
- Center Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research (Field Center) A collaboration of SP2, Penn’s schools of Law, Medicine, Nursing, Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School of Education, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this center is focused on reform of the child welfare system Explore the Center (opens in a new tab)
- Center Penn Center for Inclusive Innovation & Technology (PCIIT) At the Penn Center for Inclusive Innovation & Technology (PCIIT), we are dedicated to fostering an innovation ecosystem where insights derived from the lived realities of Philadelphians can advance partnerships rooted in care. Explore the Center
Initiatives and Special Projects
From encouraging social innovation to promoting economic security and well-being, SP2’s special projects uphold Penn’s commitment to engage both locally and globally on interdisciplinary cooperation and professional development.
- Project Center for Carceral Communities Works collaboratively with neighborhoods in West Philadelphia to help people with a history of incarceration re-engage with the community Explore the Project (opens in a new tab)
- Project Health Equity and Policy Lab SP2 Faculty exhibit the School’s understanding of how personal, cultural, and social factors impact important issues concerning inclusion, economic injustices, and policy within marginalized communities. Explore the Project (opens in a new tab)
- Project Ortner Center on Violence & Abuse The Ortner Center on Violence & Abuse is a collaborative effort of faculty and students at the University of Pennsylvania who research issues related to violence, primarily violence against women & girls. Explore the Project
- Project SAFELab A research initiative focused on examining the ways in which youth of color navigate violence on and offline Explore the Project (opens in a new tab)
- Project SexGen Lab The SexGen Policy Lab is a collaborative space to conduct research about gender and sexuality anchored in community partnerships. Explore the Project