History

The television and the President

On Oct. 5 1947, Harry Truman delivered the first televised presidential speech. Communications expert David Eisenhower looks at the history of politics and media and the significance of this moment 75 years later.  

Kristina García

Iran protests, explained

Historian Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, an expert on modern Iran and gender in the School of Arts & Sciences, discusses what sparked the protests and why they’re important.

Kristen de Groot

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

Exploring what it means to be curious

In a new book “Curious Minds: The Power of Connection,” Penn’s Dani S. Bassett and twin sibling Perry Zurn weave together history, linguistics, network science, neuroscience, and philosophy to unpack the concept of curiosity.

Katherine Unger Baillie



In the News


Chronicle of Higher Education

Stop treating students like babies

Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education organized an in-person 2016 discussion between Penn students and Republican students at Cairn University to foster productive conversation and find common ground.

FULL STORY →



CBS News

Presidential historian assesses Trump’s 2024 win

Mary Frances Berry of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory and upcoming second term.

FULL STORY →



New Republic

The bad politics of bad posture

In her book “Slouch,” Beth Linker of the School of Arts & Sciences outlines how societal pressures have driven huge swaths of people to embrace falsehoods about posture.

FULL STORY →



MSNBC

Time will tell if Kamala Harris made the right choice by picking Tim Walz

In an opinion essay, Brian Rosenwald of the School of Arts & Sciences outlines the thought process behind past picks for vice-presidential running mates.

FULL STORY →



Philadelphia Inquirer

This should be our response to Donald Trump’s comments that ‘you won’t have to vote anymore’

In an opinion article, Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education argues that voting should be mandatory.

FULL STORY →



University World News

The local democratic mission of HE: Lessons from the U.S.

A paper edited by Ira Harkavy and Rita A. Hodges of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships examines how urban universities can further democracy and inclusion by working with their local communities.

FULL STORY →