APC’s Policy Partnership Program is the centerpiece of its mission to apply research in the service of social change. APC sponsors collaborations between academic researchers and organizations that work on women and family policy and programs.

The goals of the Policy Partnership Program are:

1. To move research out of the “ivory tower” and into the hands of policy makers, advocates, and service providers

2. To provide organizations with a wide knowledge base to inform their work and strengthen their programs

3. To give graduate and undergraduate students experience with applied research and expose them to organizations working for change

Research Partnerships. Penn researchers work closely with organizations to design and conduct research projects that improve the organizations’ work as advocates and service-providers. Penn graduate students are employed as research assistants in order to gain valuable experience and help finance their graduate training. Undergraduates also work as research assistants on Partnership projects.

Internship and Service Learning Partnerships. Students from across the University intern in local organizations addressing gender issues and take seminar courses that feature internship and research projects with policy partners. Alumni/ae interested in women’s issues are enlisted as mentors and advisors to students and policy partners. The hands-on learning experience provides needed resources to community groups, and encourages students to explore careers in the public and non-profit sectors.

Some recent policy partnerships include:

Women's Way 25. "A Change of Pace: Accelerating Women's Progress." A major report that documents women’s progress toward economic equality over the past 25 years, highlights remaining inequalities, explains the reasons for their persistence, and proposes specific strategies for change to accelerate the pace of women’s progress.

Third Path Institute. “Gender and Work-Life Balance in the Professions” applies research and professional experience to design new templates for work in the professions that allow for better work-life balance. Phase one focuses on the legal profession and involves collaboration with the Penn Law School, the Wharton School, and Philadelphia Flex-Time Lawyers.

Arab-American CDC. Working with middle schools in Philadelphia to develop leadership programs and curricula for Palestinian girls.

APC hosts post-doctoral and senior scholars from around the world who are conducting research on women and gender.

APC, in collaboration with Women’s Studies, sponsors two major public addresses by prominent scholars, writers, and activists on current issues affecting women. APC also sponsors and co-sponsors numerous other public programs thoughout the year. Information on past and upcoming events is available at our website: or by calling the office at 215-898-8740.

APC is actively involved in the core educational mission of the University. The Center:

1. Contributes to course offerings and curricular development focused on the role of gender in the lives and opportunities of both women and men

2. Involves students in research, policy-making, and community service

3. Funds graduate students doing research on women and gender

4. Supports undergraduate and graduate networks for exchanging ideas, presenting works-in-progress, and designing research and action projects

Diversity of Language and the Structure of Power Seminar. Designed for Penn faculty and graduate students, this seminar focuses on the use of language and the intersections of race, class, and gender. The current seminar theme is feminist theory and its contributions to key areas of contemporary research and critique of the humanities and social sciences.

Penn Mid-Atlantic Seminar for the Study of Women and Society. The seminar provides a forum for research on women and gender issues in the Delaware Valley. The seminar is an opportunity for faculty, graduate students, and professionals to convene around and discuss the latest research on women and gender in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, led by academics from around the country as well as from Penn.

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Last updated 09/17/02
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