School of Arts & Sciences

Former president of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf sits on a stage with NPR reporter Deborah Amos, with rows of onlookers in chairs and a sign behind them reading Perry World House

Africa’s Iron Lady

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, came to Perry World House as part of the Global Order Colloquium.

University of Pennsylvania flag flying with campus and the city of Philadelphia in the background.

Penn concludes landmark fundraising and engagement campaign with extraordinary results

The Campaign exceeded its initial goal, making this fundraising and engagement effort the most successful in Penn’s history.

Honoring William Still on his 200th birthday

A conference, a website, and more are planned on campus and around the city to celebrate the abolitionist who helped nearly 1,000 enslaved people to freedom.

Students immersed in place-based learning in Alaska

During a trip to Alaska in late August, students of the Lauder Institute explored the environments of Southeast Alaska and got to know the culture of the Tlingit people.

Former attorney general of the United States Loretta Lynch, wearing glasses, a black surgical mask and a blue suit dress, gestures as the speaks to a man in the foreground

Penn Political Union hosts AG Loretta Lynch

The first female African American attorney general discussed everything from her thoughts on law enforcement reform to her most memorable cases.

fanned out color sample sheets depicting a rainbow of shades

Mapping words to color

Researchers led by postdoc Colin Twomey and professor Joshua Plotkin developed an algorithm that can infer the communicative needs different linguistic communities place on colors.

three garments in glass cases in a museum

‘The Stories We Wear’ puts a spotlight on fashion spanning 2,500 years

A new Penn Museum exhibition puts a spotlight on fashion featuring 250 items spanning 2,500 years, including clothing, jewelry, uniforms, weapons, even tattoos. “The Stories We Wear” will be on view through June 12.

A college-age person standing outside, with greenery blurred in the front of the image. She is wearing a jean jacket with the words "Re-earth IN," a globe in the shape of a heart, and other earth-related designs.

Q&A

‘The climate girl’ at Penn

In a Q&A with Xiye Bastida, the second year describes how she’s bringing climate activism to her college experience, how her Indigenous background influences her path, and why storytelling and protecting Earth go hand in hand.

Supplies being handed to someone inside a Chinese language school

Lauder students put language skills into practice

In lieu of its in-country immersion program, which was canceled because of the pandemic, the Lauder Institute incorporated community engagement projects that connected students with communities in Philadelphia and beyond.

Rethinking resilience in the face of climate change

Hurricane Ida brought record-breaking rainfall and flooding, and stronger, more destructive storms will inevitably come. Being better prepared will require reconsidering how to protect people and their homes.

Filters