3/14
Louisa Shepard
Senior News Officer
lshepard@upenn.edu
Communications
9/11, 20 years later
9/11, 20 years later
Experts across the University share their thoughts on how 9/11 transformed their field, their research, and the world.
Coding the emotions that anti-tobacco ads evoke
Coding the emotions that anti-tobacco ads evoke
Sophomore Oulaya Louaddi and junior Gabriela Montes de Oca interned this summer with Annenberg’s Andy Tan, helping the research team design and test culturally appropriate anti-smoking campaigns for young women who identify as sexual minorities.
In rural America, religious attendance reduces compassion regarding opioids
In rural America, religious attendance reduces compassion regarding opioids
Rural areas—particularly those in Appalachian and Midwestern states—are hard hit by the opioid epidemic. However, many individuals in those same states do not support policies scientifically proven to help, like medically aided treatment and syringe exchanges.
Women are undercited and men are overcited in communication
Women are undercited and men are overcited in communication
An analysis of citations in 14 communication journals found that men are overcited and women are undercited, especially in papers authored by men.
How racial bias can limit internet access for people of color
How racial bias can limit internet access for people of color
A new study finds that the quality-of-life policing is used by powerful institutions and privileged people to keep those with less privilege, including people of color, from accessing resources like the internet.
Study finds surprising source of social influence
Study finds surprising source of social influence
A new study co-authored by ASC’s Damon Centola finds that as prominent and revered as social influencers seem to be, they are unlikely to change a person’s behavior by example, and might actually be detrimental to the cause.
The intonation Black/biracial men use to speak about race
The intonation Black/biracial men use to speak about race
In a study of college-educated biracial men, ages 18 to 32, sociolinguist Nicole Holliday found that, when asked about race, this group frequently brought up law enforcement unprompted and discussed the subject using vocal tone more generally associated with white speakers.
The Panoptic Sort: Surveillance Q&A with Oscar Gandy
The Panoptic Sort: Surveillance Q&A with Oscar Gandy
With the second edition of his classic 1993 book “The Panoptic Sort” recently published, Gandy discusses the past, present, and future of surveillance.
P.O. Box 34: Students connect with incarcerated writers
P.O. Box 34: Students connect with incarcerated writers
Incarcerated writers who participate in the P.O. Box 34 program are paired up with a Penn undergraduate student who corresponds with them about their work.
Translating the immigrant experience into intercultural expertise
Translating the immigrant experience into intercultural expertise
Kia Lor of the Greenfield Intercultural Center supports students at Penn while navigating multiple cultures.
Media Contact
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
After years of anti-vaccine advocacy, RFK Jr. said vaccines protect children. But experts say he must go further amid measles outbreak
Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Jessica McDonald of APPC’s Factcheck.org comment on the need to debunk vaccine misinformation in public health messaging.
FULL STORY →
The Guardian
Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
According to surveys from the Annenberg Public Policy Center, the proportion of respondents who believe vaccines are unsafe grew from 9% in April 2021 to 16% in the fall of 2023.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Many Gen Zers deal with higher rates of mental health challenges and firearm suicides, according to a new report
PIK Professor Desmond Patton says that more young people are speaking openly about mental health, especially on social media. College of Arts and Sciences first-year Anvesha Guru says that cultural attitudes about guns and mental health need more than a simple shift.
FULL STORY →
Fortune
The dangers of drinking: Experts explain the four ways alcohol can cause cancer
According to a 2024 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, a majority of Americans were unaware that alcohol consumption increases their risk of cancer.
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Los Angeles Times
A pivotal senator says he extracted vaccine concessions from RFK Jr. How will that play out?
Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center comments on the likelihood that U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy would be able to influence Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after his installation at the Department of Health and Human Services.
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U.S. News & World Report
Has RSV vaccine hesitancy subsided?
A survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that more Americans believe in the effectiveness of vaccines developed to protect newborns and seniors against RSV.
FULL STORY →