School of Arts & Sciences

Closeup of a syringe with a droplet at the tip of the needle reflecting the American flag pattern.

Science, politics, and vaccine acceptance

As the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed across the country, new research out of the Department of Philosophy shows that knowledge about the nature of science can combat political biases.

student dancing outside on the Weave Bridge

The show must go on, even amid a pandemic

Amid pandemic restrictions, student performing arts groups continued to find innovative ways this fall to create new theater, dance, comedy, a capella, and instrumental productions to share on virtual platforms.

Large rendering of the healthcare cross symbol with people standing both on top of and below the symbol against a background featuring the coronavirus germ floating nearby.

Exacerbating the health care divide

With rates of diagnoses and death disproportionately affecting racial minorities and low-income workers, experts from the School of Arts & Sciences address how COVID-19 has further exposed already dire health outcome inequalities.

a person bent over with a pair of tweezers while working in a laboratory

Atomic-scale apertures represent a novel regime in physics and materials science

Two new studies demonstrate how to fabricate atomically-thin materials with atom-sized pores, with possible applications ranging from water purification to energy harvesting.

jupiter and saturn visible at dusk just above the horizon of a dark mountain landscape

A rare celestial treat on the winter solstice

Four tips and takeaways from astronomer Cullen Blake on the upcoming alignment of Jupiter and Saturn and how to best catch a glimpse of the “great conjunction.”

Cartoon of a human person in a suit with a television for a head with waves implying wavelengths in the background.

Rahul Mukherjee’s life in the screen

In two classes, the Dick Wolf Associate Professor of Television and New Media Studies looks at the big picture of our digital life.

Calais Cronin wears a face mask in a chemistry lab.

On-campus chemistry

After waiting almost two years to join a chemistry lab, Calais Cronin is one of the few students allowed on campus this fall to do research.

Engaging Minds showcases Penn’s very best bringing theory to practice

Alumni tuned in from across the world to hear Daniel Gillion discuss the power of protests, Amy Castro Baker give a crash course on the impact of guaranteed income, and Ezekiel Emanuel detail the intricacies of distributing a COVID-19 vaccine.

Group of women wearing colorful knitted balaclavas sit on the floor in front of Marshall speakers and amps

Pussy Riot co-founder talks politics, prison time, and protests

In a virtual talk hosted by the Andrea Mitchell Center, Nadya Tolokonnikova, a co-founder of the Russian punk protest group Pussy Riot, had a wide-ranging conversation with Penn’s Kevin M.F. Platt.

Patricia Renee Thomas paints on a large canvas in her studio.

Graduate student artists persevere during pandemic and find new inspiration

Penn Master of Fine Arts students are not only adapting to this year’s challenges, but are pushing their work in different directions, as they continue to paint, draw, sculpt, photograph, and film during the pandemic.

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