School of Arts & Sciences

A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt

Penn researchers led a collaborative effort pioneering safer, more sustainable technique to extract elements critical to battery-powered technologies. Findings pave the way for getting value from materials that would otherwise be considered waste.

Nathi Magubane

Democracy and Decision 2024 podcast: Part 2

Omnia’s latest podcast series examined the state of U.S. democracy in the context of the upcoming presidential election, and Part 2 reflects on the outcome.

From Omnia

South Korea crisis, explained

South Korea plunged into a state of national crisis this week over a six-hour martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Roiled by his own sinking popularity and now facing an impeachment inquiry, Yoon’s political future is now on the line.

Dan Shortridge

Jeffrey Kallberg named interim dean of Penn Arts & Sciences

Jeffrey Kallberg has been named interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, effective Jan. 1. Kallberg currently serves as deputy dean and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Music.The announcement was made today by Interim President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson Jr.

Ron Ozio

Rivers in a changing world

A new Academically Based Community Service class brings Penn and William L. Sayre High School students together to learn environmental science and engineering.

Kristina García

Research connecting the land and the sea

Ph.D. candidate Chelsea Cohen, a historical and maritime archaeologist in Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences, combines terrestrial and underwater methods in her research of historical port cities, agroforestry, and maritime culture.

From The McNeil Center for Early American Studies



In the News


The Telegraph

Bankruptcy, depression and random death: Xi’s China is tearing itself apart

Victor H. Mair of the School of Arts & Sciences says that people in China have many memes that represent opting out of society.

FULL STORY →



Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Civil discourse: Tips for navigating potentially divisive discussions around the holiday table

Research co-authored by Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences found that political discussions between members of opposing voting parties helped reduce polarization and negative views of the other side.

FULL STORY →



Associated Press

Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya

Jeremy Sabloff of the School of Arts & Sciences and Penn Museum says that ancient fish-trapping canals show continuity in Maya culture.

FULL STORY →



Philadelphia Inquirer

Penn student awarded Rhodes Scholarship to continue cancer research at Oxford University

College of Arts and Sciences fourth-year Om Gandhi from Barrington, Illinois, has been awarded a 2025 Rhodes Scholarship to continue his cancer research at Oxford University.

FULL STORY →



Chicago Sun-Times

UChicago students, Barrington native among 2024 Rhodes Scholars heading to University of Oxford

College of Arts and Sciences fourth-year Om Gandhi from Barrington, Illinois, has been awarded a 2025 Rhodes Scholarship for graduate study at the University of Oxford.

FULL STORY →