Lang Center

for Civic & Social Responsibility

Economic development is an umbrella term that involves fostering the economic conditions that bring people a certain level of material comfort and basic human dignity. Traditionally, economic development was thought to be propelled by the industrial revolution and technology boom. This introduced the shift from handmade to machine-made industry that spurred productivity and raised standards of living for some, but many still live in conditions of poverty. The issues are continually challenging and numerous, and they require creative, diverse solutions. How can we reimagine “development” to achieve a society where all can not only live with dignity, but also have the opportunity to flourish? Additionally, how can social innovation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and alternative economics improve quality of life and drive social equality?

Connect

Key Faculty & Staff

• Denise Crossan, Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change
• Stephen O’Connell, Gil and Frank Mustin Professor of Economics
• Ellen Magenheim, Professor of Economics, Health Economics & Policy specialist
• Amanda Bayer, Professor of Economics

• Syon Bhanot, Assistant Professor of Economics, Behavioral & Public Economist

• Jennifer Peck, Assistant Professor of Economics, Environmental Economist 

Centers

• Center for Innovation and Leadership

Student Groups

• 180 Degrees Consulting | Contact: Tyler Soutendijk '20
• Redefine Her Street | Contact: Seimi Park '21 and Xinrui Yang '21
• SWIFT | Contact: Joshua Collin '20, Rafi Abuhena Hares '20, Malcolm Bevans ‘20, and Jessica Hernandez ‘22 

Learn

Relevant Courses

TriCo

Act

On-Campus Opportunities

• Swat Tank
• Social Innovation Lab

Off-Campus Opportunities

• CGI University project
• Chester Community Fellowship
• Project Medishare
• Amal Women’s Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Economic Policy Institute
• Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA Ghana)
• The Busara Center for Behavioral Economics 
• International Economic Development Council
• Entrepreneur Works (Philadelphia)
• Lansdowne Economic Development Corp.
• Pathways PA
• Volunteer with international organizations - contact LCAs for help finding relevant opportunities of interest and how to determine which organization is best for you)

Projects

• Connect with Swarthmore Student LOS projects
  • Harvest Circle, LOS project, Tyler Huntington ’18
  • SEE Initiative, Lang Center Scholarship, Fatima Boozarjomehri ’17
  • Hands Along the Nile, Nancy Awad ‘20
• Other campus projects
  • Project Ké, health-care provision, Tyler Alexander ’17
  • Haiti: Hands On, Lamia Makkar ‘21
  • Chester Volunteer Council, Yi Wei ‘21

Grants

• Lang Opportunity Scholars (apply Sophomore year)
• Davis Projects for Peace
• Project Pericles Grant
• Summer Experience Funding (faculty-led engaged scholarship, internships, or projects)