Political Science

Kristen Ghodsee interacting with students in class

Reclaiming socialism

Kristen R. Ghodsee has been intrigued by the former Eastern bloc since she was in high school. Now, her research is reaching a new audience in a provocative book.

Gwyneth K. Shaw

EU flag

What changes will the EU see in 2019?

Wharton finance professor Joao Gomes discusses Brexit, trade issues between the union and its partners, the migration crisis, the growth of populism across the region, and a shaky relationship with the Trump administration. 

Penn Today Staff ・

Delli Carpini sits on bright red chair in Annenberg School lobby

‘One of the highlights of my life’

As his time as dean of the Annenberg School comes to a close, Michael X. Delli Carpini reflects on the impact he hopes he’s had.

Lauren Hertzler ・

Founding fathers meeting to sign the Declaration of Independence

Meet the ‘original typical Penn student’

“Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father,” by creative writing lecturer Stephen Fried, explores the life of Benjamin Rush, who had many ties to the University and is an oft-overlooked figurehead of the American Revolution.

Brandon Baker ・

Lorene Cary leading a discussion in her safekids class

Writing with purpose

Students in Lorene Cary’s creative writing course focus on voting, midterm elections, and exploring the big questions of their generation.

Louisa Shepard ・



In the News


Baltimore Sun

Maryland shifted toward Donald Trump more than some other blue states, while giving Kamala Harris her second-biggest win

Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences says that poor turnout in heavily Democratic cities and a general voter swing for economic reasons contributed to Donald Trump’s victory.

FULL STORY →

The New York Times

Kennedy’s vow to take on big food could alienate his new G.O.P. allies

Mary Summers of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stated dual missions of dismantling the F.D.A. and regulating food ingredients don’t go together.

FULL STORY →

Business Insider

Elon Musk wins big by betting on Trump

Cary Coglianese of Penn Carey Law says that Elon Musk might view himself as capable of “turning around the federal government.”

FULL STORY →

Inside Higher Ed

The view of the voting from campus

Jeffrey Green of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses the Penn Political Union, sponsored by the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy in the School of Arts & Sciences, which hosts student debates and speakers across the ideological spectrum.

FULL STORY →

Newsweek

Donald Trump, evangelicals and the 2024 MAGA coalition

Shawn Patterson Jr. of the Annenberg Public Policy Center says that Donald Trump was largely an apolitical figure in 2016 with a wide array of celebrity relationships, donations to candidates of both parties, and a career in New York real estate.

FULL STORY →

NBC News

How Pennsylvania’s mail ballot rules will lead to thousands of provisional ballots on Election Day

Marc Meredith of the School of Arts & Sciences and Michael Morse of Penn Carey Law say that most provisional ballots in Pennsylvania are likely to come from voters with outstanding mail ballots, rather than voters who’ve already returned deficient mail ballots.

FULL STORY →