Through
11/26
School of Arts & Sciences
Metamaterial tiles boost sensitivity of large telescopes
Research on a low-cost, mass producible technology is poised to help the Simons Observatory uncover new insights into how the universe began.
What to expect from the Democrats’ new Senate majority
What to expect from the Democrats’ new Senate majority
Fels Director Matthew Levendusky gives his insights on the impact of Democratic control of the Senate, the importance of majority rule, realistic expectations, and how the heads of the federal trifecta will get along.
America’s first fossil fuel state
America’s first fossil fuel state
History course looks at Pennsylvania’s role in helping fossil fuel power the making of the modern world.
A conversation about cross-cultural communication
A conversation about cross-cultural communication
In the latest episode of Penn Today’s “Understand This ...” podcast series, Penn experts discuss the importance of cross-cultural communication in today’s world.
The influence and importance of language
The influence and importance of language
Labels for what happened Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol were very different from those used to describe the Black Lives Matter movement or the 2020 election results. How much weight do individual words actually have? It depends on the context.
Dark Energy Survey makes public catalog of nearly 700 million astronomical objects
With the goal of understanding dark energy and the accelerating expansion of the universe, DES released six years of data, representing one of the largest galaxy surveys published to date.
The state of U.S. democracy
The state of U.S. democracy
On the eve of a presidential inauguration following a historic election and its aftermath, experts from across the University weigh in on where we stand as a country.
Joe Biden’s longtime ties to Penn
Joe Biden’s longtime ties to Penn
As the nation prepares for its 46th president to take office Wednesday, Jan. 20, Penn Today reflects on the lasting impact he’s had at the University.
Money matters to happiness—perhaps more than previously thought
Money matters to happiness—perhaps more than previously thought
Research from Wharton’s Matthew Killingsworth shows that contrary to previous influential work, there’s no dollar-value plateau at which money’s importance lessens. One potential reason: Higher earners feel an increased sense of control over life.
Engaging in the election
Engaging in the election
In a collaborative English course taught by Lorene Cary in the fall, students shared their experiences with civic engagement by writing for publication, partnering with nonprofits like Vote That Jawn to share non-partisan information with other young first-time voters.
In the News
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn has preserved a pair of gloves said to belong to Shakespeare. Did they?
Alicia Meyer and Tessa Gadomski of Penn Libraries are researching whether a pair of centuries-old gloves belonged to Shakespeare, with remarks from Zachary Lesser of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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