Making paper for the Declaration’s anniversary Kelly He lifts the mould and deckle to drain water from the paper pulp.nocred Making paper for the Declaration’s anniversary Learn the five steps to making paper as it was done in the Revolutionary era, part of a Common Press semiquincentennial project, alongside a class from the Weitzman School of Design. 5 min. read
Sacrifice versus suffering: Examining unheard stories of the past Rafaella Lambrinos, a fourth-year history major, documented British food rationing during World War II and the ensuing Bengal famine of 1943 for her honors thesis.(Image: Eric Sucar) Sacrifice versus suffering: Examining unheard stories of the past Fourth-year Rafaella Lambrinos traveled to London to study archival records about the Bengal famine of 1943 and British food rationing, gaining greater insight into the study of the past. 3 min. read time
Three from Penn elected to the American Philosophical Society Penn faculty members Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Elizabeth Magill, and Sophia Rosenfeld have been elected to the American Philosophical Society.nocred Three from Penn elected to the American Philosophical Society Ezekiel Emanuel, Liz Magill, and Sophia Rosenfeld have been recognized for extraordinary achievements in their fields. 3 min. read
Founding-era research and the social context of public institutions Tingfeng Yan is a Friends of the MCEAS Fellow at the McNeil Center.(Image: Courtesy of The McNeil Center Center for Early American Studies) Founding-era research and the social context of public institutions At the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, Friends of the MCEAS Fellow Tingfeng Yan is uncovering the political ideas and practices that informed the creation of U.S. constitutionalism. 2 min. read
History course brings Philadelphia’s ‘Revolutionary Stories’ to life Second-year David Sun examines primary source documents at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for his Revolutionary Stories project.nocred History course brings Philadelphia’s ‘Revolutionary Stories’ to life In a partnership with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania expanding students access to primary source documents, undergraduates examine the lives of regular Revolutionary-era Philadelphians. 4 min. read
Penn’s inaugural SAS Commons explores democracy and knowledge Penn’s inaugural SAS Commons explores democracy and knowledge History professor Sophia Rosenfeld discusses Democracy and Knowledge, the inaugural theme for the School of Arts & Sciences new two-year program SAS Horizons.
Exploring the history of North American pastels Megan Baker is a Barra Foundation Fellow in Art and Material Culture at Penn’s McNeil Center.(Image: Courtesy of McNeil Center for Early American Studies) Exploring the history of North American pastels McNeil Center Fellow Megan Baker’s dissertation research explores how the fine art medium tells a larger story of material transit across the Atlantic during a time of mounting political discord. 2 min. read
Researching 17th century Caribbean freedom and empire Clifton E. Sorrell III is a McNeil Center for Early American Studies Advisory Council Fellow.(Image: Courtesy of McNeil Center for Early American History) Researching 17th century Caribbean freedom and empire McNeil Center for Early American Studies Advisory Council Fellow Clifton E. Sorrell III pieces together the world that shaped how people of African descent experienced slavery and freedom in the early Caribbean. 2 min. read
The art of retelling ancient stories: A Q&A with Steven Weitzman Steven Weitzman is the Ella Darivoff Director of the Katz Center of Advanced Judaic Studies.nocred Q&A The art of retelling ancient stories: A Q&A with Steven Weitzman In his new book, the Penn professor and scholar of religion examines how the biblical story of the 10 plagues has been reshaped by people across time and culture to make sense of their experiences and find meaning in disasters. 3 min. read
How a postwar research push changed Penn Researchers look through a microscope in a lab at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania around 1940.(Image: Courtesy of University Archives) How a postwar research push changed Penn In the second of a limited series, “Chapters of Change” showcases another transformational moment in Penn’s past shaped by changes in society—World War II—during which the U.S.’s drive for knowledge sparked massive investments in research. 5 min. read