School of Arts & Sciences

By Sarah Welsh

For members of the New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir, singing and producing shows together is a joyful and meaningful part of their educational experience at the University of Pennsylvania.

Joshua Plotkin of the University of Pennsylvania has been named winner of the 2015 Akira Okubo Prize, awarded jointly by the International Society for Mathematical Biology and the

The Jewish Book Council has named University of Pennsylvania professor Kathryn Hellerstein recipient of the 2014 Barbara Dobkin Award for Women’s Studies for her A Question of Tradition: Women Poets in Yiddish, 1586-1987 (Stanford University Press, 2014).

Graphene, a one-atom thick lattice of carbon atoms, is often touted as a revolutionary material that will take the place of silicon at the heart of electronics. The unmatched speed at which it can move electrons, plus its essentially two-dimensional form factor, make it an attractive alternative, but several hurdles to its adoption remain.

For the first time last fall, the University of Pennsylvania invited Quakers from around the globe to participate in an alumni-exclusive version of a massive open online course.

The American Psychiatric Association has named University of Pennsylvania professor Dorothy Roberts recipient of the 2015 Solomon Carter Fuller Award in recognition of her demonstrated leadership and exceptional achievements. The award honors “a Black citizen who has pioneered in an area which has significantly benefitted the quality of life for Black people.”

Twitter has broken news stories, launched and ended careers, started social movements and toppled governments, all by being an easy, direct and immediate way for people to share what’s on their minds.

Lorene Cary, a senior lecturer in the English Department in the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences, is leading a new initiative called Safe Kids Stories, a website and social movement designed to promote Philadelphia programs that create safe havens for children and youth.

Students at the University of Pennsylvania can study in Cuba thanks to a Penn Summer Abroad program in Havana.