Communications | Penn Today

Five rows of COVID-19 vaccine vials. The vials are angled diagonally, from bottom left to top right.

Mandates likely work to increase vaccine uptake

Rather than causing a backlash, vaccination requirements will succeed at getting more people inoculated, according to research from PIK Professor Dolores Albarracín and colleagues at Penn.

Darin Johnson stands outside in front of steps.

Darin Johnson breaks down what code switching is

The doctoral student at Annenberg School for Communication explores the mental processes behind code switching and their implications.

A zoom meeting screen shows Elizabeth Vale on the left screen and former Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron on the right screen.

Martin Baron on the future of news and importance of investigative journalism

The former executive editor of The Washington Post spoke with Fels Distinguished Fellow Elizabeth Vale as part of the Fels Public Policy in Practice series.

Misinformation on Twitter adversely affects adults’ health decisions

A new study from the Annenberg School for Communication is the first to explore the effect of misinformation on Twitter about e-cigarette harms.

9/11, 20 years later

Experts across the University share their thoughts on how 9/11 transformed their field, their research, and the world.

U.S.-built databases a potential tool of Taliban repression

Ali Karimi of the Annenberg School for Communication comments on the distrust of the Taliban in possession of U.S. data and intelligence.

A person sitting outside on a silver metal bench wearing a black and white skirt, a white shirt, and blue blazer. Plants are visible to the right and to the left.

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.

The Tucker Carlson fans who got vaxxed

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said shows like “Tucker Carlson Tonight” foster distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine by perpetuating viewers’ assumptions. “If you hear the word lie tied to Anthony Fauci, and Anthony Fauci now comes on in a completely different venue, the assumption is, you can’t trust Anthony Fauci,” she said.

Jennifer Aniston and other celebrities endorse vaccines. Experts say their pleas may not help

Damon Centola of the Annenberg School for Communication said high-profile celebrities are better at marketing products and raising awareness than convincing their followers to embrace more complex ideas. “The way we’re using social influence is a little outdated,” he said. “Giving some groups a vehicle for talking about it and supporting each other in the communities is key.”

empty street of a small town Main Street with a church on one side of the street.

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.

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