The Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 cohort of Engaged Humanities Studio Fellows: Joanna Hong, Xinyun Li, Elise Mitchell, Ron Tarver, and Alex Torra.

In collaboration with community partners, each fellow will embark on a 12- to 18-month project that addresses a contemporary issue through the arts and humanities. Read more about the Engaged Humanities Studio, led by Katie Price, director of community engaged learning and special projects for the Lang Center.

Here are snapshots of the fellows and their projects.

House of the Living 2.0

Associate Professor of Art Ron Tarver, Assistant Professor of Art Jody Joyner, Assistant Professor of Art Sony Devabhaktuni, Project Manager Laura Oliver, The EMIR Healing Center, and Awbury Arboretum

House of the Living 2.0 will reimagine a site-specific memorial and public artwork at Awbury Arboretum honoring Philadelphians whose lives and stories have been erased by homicide. The project will take shape through deep study of the site and close consultation with community members.

The Black History of Public Health 

Assistant Professor of History Elise Mitchell and Artist Jazmyn Jamil

Swarthmore students will work together with local artist Jazmyn Jamil on a chronological zine and website that charts the Black history of public health in Philadelphia from the founding of the U.S. to the present. This project will take place in the context of the The Black History of Public Health in Philadelphia course, which engages with archival and scholarly publications, discussions with local academic experts, and collaborative zine-making about how Black Philadelphians have historically contended with public health crises and sought to redress racial health disparities in their city.

Budget Justice: Reimagining Public Budgets Through Performance

Assistant Professor of Theater Alex Torra, Founder/Facilitating Artist of People’s Budget Office Phoebe Bachman, Project Manager of People’s Budget Office Sarah Bishop-Stone, and Jessica Qin ’28

This project explores how theater and performance can reimagine public budgets as stories of community values, priorities, and collective futures. In partnership with Philadelphia’s People’s Budget Office, the research investigates how performance practices can deepen civic participation and create new ways for residents to engage with the decisions that shape their communities.

Five Phone Calls: A Multilingual Devised Performance By and About International Students

Joanna Hong ’27, Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Theatre Company Tyler Debrowski, and Team Sunshine Performance

This project explores the challenges faced by international students at Swarthmore — from the visa process to financial strain and racism. Through collaboratively devising a performance to be held in Fall 2026, it aims to create a platform for international students to share their stories in their own languages, while also fostering connection and support in the current political climate.

Design with Neighbors: An Exploration of Playful Public Space in Chester

Xinyun Li ’27 and Artist and Community Developer L Ward 

Design with Neighbors is a community-based architectural design project that aims to create public space for play in downtown Chester. It considers play as a tool for connections and empowerment and approaches design as a collective action. Through inviting members of the Overtown community to the design process, the project imagines possible forms of play in downtown Chester, exploring how play space designs can enhance civic life and a sense of home.