School of Arts & Sciences

Two people looking at documents, with one person explaining them to the other. More people stand in the background.

Uncovered burial ground reveals history of 36 enslaved Africans in 18th-century Charleston

According to the research, many of these individuals originated in sub-Saharan Africa, in line with historical accounts of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This work, the largest DNA study of its kind to date, was co-led by anthropologist Theodore Schurr and conducted with support from and at the request of the local community.

Student with "What's one thing we wish we were told as freshman" in text across a Zoom screen

How the Africana Studies Summer Institute went virtual

The 2020 Africana Summer Institute adopted a new vision, working to prepare freshmen for a virtual life at Penn.

The role of data in a world reshaped by COVID-19

Experts across Penn share their insights on how data and data science affect their fields in the context of an ongoing pandemic.

Map of United States that reads 'Elections,' 'I voted today,' and 'Breaking news'

Election night 2020: What to expect

Penn professors address what election night might look like, as well as how the culture of elections came to feel like a pop culture event.

Roberto Gonzales appointed Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor

The world-renowned scholar of the lives of immigrants in the United States, will be the Richard Perry University Professor, with joint appointments in the Department of Sociology of the School of Arts & Sciences and in the Graduate School of Education.

a person wearing darkened glasses adjusting lenses on an optics table

First-ever evidence of exotic particles in cobalt monosilicide

The discovery of fourfold topological quasiparticles in this metallic alloy could be used to engineer topological materials with unique and controllable properties in the future.

Penn Clubs online platform helps students find extracurricular groups and activities

Discovering and joining extracurricular groups and activities is now easier with the new Penn Clubs online platform, developed and managed by students for students.

Person sitting cross-legged on an airport chair looking at a phone. A suitcase is in front of the image. A chair next to the person has a large, red X and read "Social Distancing."

How have new social norms emerged as COVID-19 has spread?

In a study of nine countries, researcher Cristina Bicchieri found that motivating people to modify behavior requires changing their expectations about the actions and thoughts of those who matter to them.

Two men shake hands and two others look on behind them in a black and white photo from the 1940s

Q&A

Iran-China partnership: A reported new deal for a relationship going back to antiquity

William Figueroa, who recently earned his doctoral degree in history, shares his take on the past relations and what the new partnership could mean.

Large crowd wearing masks protesting in the streets of D.C., person in foreground holds a sign reading BREONNA’S LIFE MATTERED.

Protests matter, and here’s why

As part of the Provost’s Lecture on Diversity, political science professor Daniel Gillion gave insight into how demonstrations affect elected officials, shape policy, increase engagement, and motivate voter turnout.

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