Mark J. Stern

Mark J. Stern is a Professor of Social Policy and History at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the School of Social Policy & Practice and the Department of History. He holds a PhD in History from York University and a BA from Reed College. Stern has been teaching social welfare policy since 1980, focusing on the intersection of arts, culture, and community wellbeing. His research, led through the Social Impact of the Arts Project (SIAP), examines how cultural assets influence urban revitalization and social equity.

Education:

• PhD in History, York University, Toronto, Canada
• BA, Reed College, Portland, Oregon

Research Interests: Stern’s work bridges social policy, urban studies, and cultural impact analysis. He has authored seven books, including Age and Arts Participation: A Case Against Demographic Destiny (2011) and co-authored One Nation Divisible (2006). His studies on cultural clusters and neighborhood revitalization highlight the role of arts in fostering community resilience. Current projects include analyzing the social benefits of cultural investments in Philadelphia and other U.S. cities.

Grants & Partnerships: SIAP’s research has been funded by private and public entities, focusing on measuring cultural impact. Stern collaborates with artists and policymakers to translate research into actionable strategies for equitable urban development.

Labs/Teams: Founder and Principal Investigator of the Social Impact of the Arts Project (SIAP), part of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice.