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To err is human, to learn, divine
two color-coded networks with nodes and edges arranged into a series of three stars on the left and a large pentagon on the right

To err is human, to learn, divine

Researchers develop a new model for how the brain processes complex information: by striking a balance between accuracy and simplicity while making mistakes along the way.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Diagnosing Russia’s COVID-19 response
Person in black hooded jacket and pants facing away from camera walks near Red Square in Moscow.

Crowds are gone from Moscow’s Red Square as the coronavirus pandemic spreads in Russia.

Diagnosing Russia’s COVID-19 response

Despite the Russian government’s assertions that it has the COVID-19 crisis under control, the outbreak is in the beginning stages in the country and three experts says Vladimir Putin’s political fate may rest on how he responds to the crisis.

Kristen de Groot

Anne Berg explores the ‘Wastes of War’
People wearing latex gloves crouch on the floor around a pile of garbage

Historian Anne Berg, center, sorts trash with students in her “Wastes of War” seminar. (Image: Eric Sucar)

Anne Berg explores the ‘Wastes of War’

What qualifies as a war, and how does the waste created by war transform the social and physical environment? Historian Anne Berg’s class looks at these two seemingly disconnected concepts.

Kristen de Groot

Coming together to solve the many scientific mysteries of COVID-19
Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (green) heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (purple), isolated from a patient sample.

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (green) heavily infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (purple), isolated from a patient sample. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. (Image: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH)

Coming together to solve the many scientific mysteries of COVID-19

Putting some of their regular research projects on the back burner, researchers around Penn are digging into unknowns about the novel coronavirus from their deep and varied perspectives.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Engaging with the climate crisis, online
A hand holds a pen in front of an iceberg in the ocean

Work by Amy Balkin, artist-in-residence for the PPEH this year, is a part of the Making Sense gallery. (Image: Amy Balkin)

Engaging with the climate crisis, online

Across a quartet of digital platforms, including one for this week’s Climate Sensing and Data Storytelling convening, the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities is encouraging public engagement and the pairing of environmental art and science on climate issues.

Katherine Unger Baillie

The sociology of disease and disgust
A woman wearing a red cross and a mask over her face illustrates an announcement that says, "To Prevent Influenza!"

A public health announcement taken from a 1918 issue of Illustrated Current News is part of the Mütter Museum’s “Spit Spreads Death” exhibition. (Image: U.S. National Library of Medicine.)

The sociology of disease and disgust

Ramah McKay and David Barnes discuss the historical association of disease, shame, and social stigma.

Kristina García

The Sachs Program unveils 2020 grants
Dancing in a nightclub

Ph.D. candidate Tamir Williams will curate an exhibition at Slought titled “A Space to Appear, A Space to Tarry,” which will present works from the photographic series “Black Nightclubs on Chicago’s South Side” (1975-1977) by Penn alumnus Michael Abramson.

The Sachs Program unveils 2020 grants

The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation revealed 34 new art projects from students, faculty, and staff that will receive funding.
Virtual visitors at the Kelly Writers House
Four people speaking from home each on the computer screen in a videoconference

Two of the three Kelly Writers House Fellows public conversations were held remotely this year, livestreamed online. April’s guests were Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham (top row, left to right) who produce The New York Times podcast “Still Processing.” The question and answer session was managed by Penn’s Julia Bloch, Creative Writing Program  Director, and Lily Applebaum of the Kelly Writers House (bottom row, left to right). 

Virtual visitors at the Kelly Writers House

The Kelly Writers House Fellows course continued remotely this semester for the class sessions and public conversations. Last week’s guests were Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham of The New York Times podcast “Still Processing.”
With support from parents, teens forge a path to handle social distancing
A teenager stands outside and puts a mask on their face while a group of friends wearing masks stands behind them on the grass.

With support from parents, teens forge a path to handle social distancing

Adolescents need and value their friends, relationships challenged by COVID-19 restrictions. By having explicit conversations and facilitating remote access to peers, the adults in their lives can help.

Michele W. Berger