Lang Visiting Professorship for Issues of Social Change

Endowed by Eugene M. Lang ’38, the Lang Visiting Professorship brings to Swarthmore outstanding social scientists, political leaders, and social activists whose careers demonstrate sustained engagement with major issues of social justice, civil liberties, human rights, and democracy. Along with the sponsoring academic department, the Lang Visiting Professorship is co-hosted by the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility.

You can see a list of previous Eugene Lang Visiting Professors for Issues of Social Change here [PDF].  

Current Lang Visiting Professor

Headshot of James Fenelon.James Fenelon will serve as the Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change in 2021-2022.

Professor Fenelon is Lakota/Dakota, Gaelic Irish and Norsk, having taught internationally, with indigenous peoples globally, and with urban groups.  James teaches on urban inequality, social movements, Native Nations, race and racism, social movements, worked with the Urban Conservation Corps, the California Indian Nations College, and recently on Environmental Water research with the Water Resources Policy Institute for the CSU. He is an advocate for social justice around the world.

Fenelon's teaching and research interests include: Indian Nations & Native Americans, Indigenous Peoples; Inequality focus on race/ethnicity, class and social policy; World systems analysis of global change, Urban & Political; International/Intercultural and Environmental issues, Globalization.

Professor Fenelon will teach two courses during the academic year: