Early modern literature in the Black Atlantic world Alyssa Smith, MCEAS Consortium Fellow at the McNeil Center.(Image: Courtesy of The McNeil Center for Early American Studies) Early modern literature in the Black Atlantic world How Alyssa Smith, a McNeil Center for Early American Studies Consortium Fellow is turning to Penn for her research. 2 min. read
Looking back: When the Spanish flu upended universities, students paid the price Penn In the News Hechinger Report Looking back: When the Spanish flu upended universities, students paid the price “From Upheaval to Action: What Works in Changing Higher Ed” by Scott Van Pelt of the Graduate School of Education looks at how universities were impacted by the Spanish flu in the early 20th century. Seven things to know about ‘Common Sense’ nocred Seven things to know about ‘Common Sense’ Penn experts share insights into Thomas Paine’s influential written work, 250 years after its publication. 4 min. read Iran at a crossroads Iran is functioning under an Internet communications blackout, which has strained economic and family ties, says Penn’s Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet.(Image: Vahid Salemi via AP Images) Q&A Iran at a crossroads In a Q&A, Penn historian Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, an expert on Iran and the modern Middle East, speaks about the Iranian opposition movement, current protests, the Islamic Republic’s crackdown, and daily life in the country. 4 min. read Awards and accolades for Penn faculty nocred Awards and accolades for Penn faculty A roundup of appointments and awards for various members of Penn’s faculty across several schools. 2 min. read 20 breakthroughs of 2025 The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.(Image: Eric Sucar) 20 breakthroughs of 2025 From ancient tombs and tiny robots to personalized gene editing and AI weather models, Penn’s 2025 research portfolio showed how curiosity—paired with collaboration—moves knowledge into impact and stretches across disciplines and continents. 5 min. read Chester Springs preserves the site of the only military hospital built during the Revolutionary War Penn In the News WHYY (Philadelphia) Chester Springs preserves the site of the only military hospital built during the Revolutionary War “Nursing the Revolution” at Penn’s Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing shows the role of nurses in the Revolutionary War. One School, many schools of thought School of Arts & Sciences dean Mark Trodden joins faculty in discussion for Omnia’s latest podcast series.nocred One School, many schools of thought A special edition of the Penn Arts & Sciences “Ampersand” podcast features Dean Mark Trodden in conversation with SAS faculty from different disciplines. 2 min. read Exploring Philadelphia’s petrochemical past Philadelphia Gas Works in an 1890 illustration. It sat on the east side of the Schuylkill River, between Market and Filbert streets.(Image: David J. Kennedy. Courtesy of Historical Society of Philadelphia, via petrodelphia.org.) Exploring Philadelphia’s petrochemical past Penn historian Jared Farmer recently launched a website about Philadelphia’s fossil fuel economy to help students and residents learn about the local past in larger context. 2 min. read Medieval medicine and magic Elly Truitt (left, standing) says she hopes the students can use these historical examples to make sense of their own experiences.nocred Medieval medicine and magic In Elly Truitt’s Medicine, Magic, and Miracles class, rare manuscripts provide an window into the intriguing—and sometimes strange—evolution of medieval medicine. 2 min. read Load More
Seven things to know about ‘Common Sense’ nocred Seven things to know about ‘Common Sense’ Penn experts share insights into Thomas Paine’s influential written work, 250 years after its publication. 4 min. read
Iran at a crossroads Iran is functioning under an Internet communications blackout, which has strained economic and family ties, says Penn’s Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet.(Image: Vahid Salemi via AP Images) Q&A Iran at a crossroads In a Q&A, Penn historian Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, an expert on Iran and the modern Middle East, speaks about the Iranian opposition movement, current protests, the Islamic Republic’s crackdown, and daily life in the country. 4 min. read
Awards and accolades for Penn faculty nocred Awards and accolades for Penn faculty A roundup of appointments and awards for various members of Penn’s faculty across several schools. 2 min. read
20 breakthroughs of 2025 The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.(Image: Eric Sucar) 20 breakthroughs of 2025 From ancient tombs and tiny robots to personalized gene editing and AI weather models, Penn’s 2025 research portfolio showed how curiosity—paired with collaboration—moves knowledge into impact and stretches across disciplines and continents. 5 min. read
Chester Springs preserves the site of the only military hospital built during the Revolutionary War Penn In the News WHYY (Philadelphia) Chester Springs preserves the site of the only military hospital built during the Revolutionary War “Nursing the Revolution” at Penn’s Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing shows the role of nurses in the Revolutionary War. One School, many schools of thought School of Arts & Sciences dean Mark Trodden joins faculty in discussion for Omnia’s latest podcast series.nocred One School, many schools of thought A special edition of the Penn Arts & Sciences “Ampersand” podcast features Dean Mark Trodden in conversation with SAS faculty from different disciplines. 2 min. read Exploring Philadelphia’s petrochemical past Philadelphia Gas Works in an 1890 illustration. It sat on the east side of the Schuylkill River, between Market and Filbert streets.(Image: David J. Kennedy. Courtesy of Historical Society of Philadelphia, via petrodelphia.org.) Exploring Philadelphia’s petrochemical past Penn historian Jared Farmer recently launched a website about Philadelphia’s fossil fuel economy to help students and residents learn about the local past in larger context. 2 min. read Medieval medicine and magic Elly Truitt (left, standing) says she hopes the students can use these historical examples to make sense of their own experiences.nocred Medieval medicine and magic In Elly Truitt’s Medicine, Magic, and Miracles class, rare manuscripts provide an window into the intriguing—and sometimes strange—evolution of medieval medicine. 2 min. read
One School, many schools of thought School of Arts & Sciences dean Mark Trodden joins faculty in discussion for Omnia’s latest podcast series.nocred One School, many schools of thought A special edition of the Penn Arts & Sciences “Ampersand” podcast features Dean Mark Trodden in conversation with SAS faculty from different disciplines. 2 min. read
Exploring Philadelphia’s petrochemical past Philadelphia Gas Works in an 1890 illustration. It sat on the east side of the Schuylkill River, between Market and Filbert streets.(Image: David J. Kennedy. Courtesy of Historical Society of Philadelphia, via petrodelphia.org.) Exploring Philadelphia’s petrochemical past Penn historian Jared Farmer recently launched a website about Philadelphia’s fossil fuel economy to help students and residents learn about the local past in larger context. 2 min. read
Medieval medicine and magic Elly Truitt (left, standing) says she hopes the students can use these historical examples to make sense of their own experiences.nocred Medieval medicine and magic In Elly Truitt’s Medicine, Magic, and Miracles class, rare manuscripts provide an window into the intriguing—and sometimes strange—evolution of medieval medicine. 2 min. read