Dr. Susannah G. Fishman is an educator, researcher, connector and catalyst. She is passionate about developing meaningful learning opportunities that enable students to translate their ideas into impact. Bringing an anthropological lens to her work with students, Susannah is fascinated by how people, culture and technology shape each other. 

Prior to joining Swarthmore, Susannah earned her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. Building on her dissertation, she led a team of researchers in Azerbaijan and collaborated on work in Mississippi to understand the relationship between technology and social-political change. She taught anthropology courses at Penn, and worked as a facilitator in Wharton’s Executive Education Program. 

Following this, Susannah worked as Academics Manager at Pioneer Academics, an online education organization that connects outstanding international high school students to professors at elite colleges to conduct research projects. Later, Susannah served as Assistant Director of Education Programs and Professional Development at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where her work spanned art programs for under-resourced high school students to leadership programs for high-achieving professionals.

At Swarthmore, Susannah often connects students, faculty and alumni to each other and to resources on and off campus.  Susannah enjoys bringing her experience to the Center for Innovation and Leadership to develop impactful opportunities that meet the needs of the Swarthmore community.