2021-2023 Fellows
Joshua Davidson, City and Regional Planning, Weitzman School of Design
Faculty Advisor: Megan Ryerson, Associate Professor, City and Regional Planning, Weitzman School of Design
Joshua's research investigates how commutes may change, and thereby improve the socio-economic quality of life by isolating and expanding on three factors that generate “shocks” in the commuting environment: 1) the effect of adding new transit services to the existing network, 2) the effect of exogenous residential change, more commonly referred to as a forced move, or displacement, and 3) the effect of public health crises. In tandem with this research, Joshua will further develop the ABCS course he offered last fall titled "Transport Justice" to be offered again in Fall 2021 in the Department of City and Regional Planning.
Josh's Reflection: I applied for the Provost’s Graduate Academic Engagement Fellowship at the Netter Center because it provides a unique laboratory on campus to synthesize rigorous research designs and methodological experimentation with an eye always attuned to applications in the world of policy and practice. The seminars provided by the Fellowship are some of the most interdisciplinary spaces in which I have had the honor to learn. Rarely have I come across a more collaborative group of thinkers so willing to reach out across the boundaries of our various disciplines to provide feedback and support that strengthens each other's work. My research, teaching, and learning have grown tremendously through taking part in the Fellowship and my overall thinking has been pushed to new and more creative places because of the Fellowship’s mentorship and support.
Breanna Moore, History, School of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Advisor: Kathleen Brown, Professor, History, School of Arts & Sciences
Breanna plans to create an ABCS Reparations Law Clinic/Research Seminar in which students partner with reparatory justice activists and community organizers to advocate for the implementation of reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
Breanna's Reflection: I applied for the Provost’s Graduate Academic Engagement Fellowship at the Netter Center to create a course for UPenn and high school students to partner with Philadelphia community members to advocate for the implementation of reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. The Netter Center has been invaluable by making accessible an array of resources, including an amazing network of interdisciplinary scholars who provide insightful feedback and mentorship as I plan the course. I’m grateful to be a PGAEF fellow and to be connected to experts, scholar-activists, and genuine leaders through this process.
Claire Wan, Reading, Writing, Literacy Division, Graduate School of Education
Faculty Advisor: Gerald Campano, Professor, Literacy, Culture, and International Education Division, Graduate School of Education
Claire plans to lead a teaching and research based project on language, literacy, and power in schools, and particularly its relationship to Asian American identities and experiences. She intends to incorporate youth and family voices to explore community-based advocacy and activism and, in the process, co-construct scholarly understandings of these intersecting research interests.
Claire's Reflection: I applied to the Provost’s Graduate Academic Engagement Fellowship in the first year of my PhD because I wanted to engage in participatory and community-based research that focused on language, literacy, and power in schools, and its relationship to Asian and Asian American identities, experiences, and histories in our local communities. The PGAEF fellowship provided me another space, resources, and support to inquire and explore my research interests. In our PGAEF seminars, we are able to share our research progress and questions, which have been interdisciplinary, collaborative, and supportive. As a fellow, I am grateful to be part of a group of scholars, who are deeply committed to community-based research and partnerships. It is exciting to be able to cultivate understanding and solidarity with researchers in other departments and fields, and share in how our work is intersectional and grounded in the communities.