School of Arts & Sciences

A group of students working on a project at Cobbs Creek.

Bolstering environmental education in Cobbs Creek

Through a Projects for Progress award and other University support, students in West Philadelphia are gaining greater access to STEM learning resources at the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・

Artist John Dowell stands in the gallery with his artworks behind him surrounded by several people.

‘Paths to Freedom’: A new exhibit by John E. Dowell

In a new Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition, Philadelphia artist John E. Dowell imagines attempted escapes by enslaved ancestors through his photographs of North Carolina cotton fields at night. “Paths to Freedom” includes 26 artworks, an installation of fabric panels, and a soundscape.

Louisa Shepard ・

rows of posters on easels with groups of people around them in a historic hall

Undergraduate research on display

Showcasing undergraduate student research with Penn faculty, a record 361 posters were on display with students presenting their work at the Fall Research Expo sponsored by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships in Houston Hall.

Louisa Shepard ・

Psychologist Jer Clifton sits on the steps of his office

What beliefs shape our minds?

Jer Clifton of the Positive Psychology Center developed a framework to study primal world beliefs, our most fundamental sentiments about the world as a whole. Now, he’s ready for everyone to discover what their primal world beliefs are.

Marilyn Perkins

Three people sit on a stage at a table

Unpacking Latino conservatism

The Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies hosted Geraldo Cadava, author of “The Hispanic Republican,” and Penn political scientist Michael Jones-Correa to help situate recent Latino trends within the longer historical perspective.

Kristen de Groot ・

workbench showcasing the forensic toolkit

Crime and the scientific method

The multidisciplinary faculty in the Department of Criminology harness diverse methodologies to improve public safety and inform policy and planning.

Blake Cole , Michele W. Berger ・

Students Akin Adio and Abi Ocholi

Understanding the needs of cancer care partners

Through the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program, undergrads Abi Ocholi and Akin Adio deepened their understanding of qualitative research and of the experiences of caregivers.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・



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.

FULL STORY →

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.

FULL STORY →

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.

FULL STORY →

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.

FULL STORY →

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.

FULL STORY →