Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences

A pile of old, damaged I VOTED stickers.

Democracy and Decision 2024 podcast: Part 2

Omnia’s latest podcast series examined the state of U.S. democracy in the context of the upcoming presidential election, and Part 2 reflects on the outcome.

From Omnia ・

A crowd of people are gathered in a public square, facing left, holding candles and carrying signs in a vigil calling for the South Korean president’s resignation.

South Korea crisis, explained

South Korea plunged into a state of national crisis this week over a six-hour martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Roiled by his own sinking popularity and now facing an impeachment inquiry, Yoon’s political future is now on the line.

Dan Shortridge ・

Jeffrey-kallberg

Jeffrey Kallberg named interim dean of Penn Arts & Sciences

Jeffrey Kallberg has been named interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, effective Jan. 1. Kallberg currently serves as deputy dean and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Music.The announcement was made today by Interim President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson Jr.

Ron Ozio ・

Cartoon images of grownups in failed negotiations over a laptop.

Is ‘bypassing’ a better way to battle misinformation?

Bypassing involves offering accurate information that has an implication opposite to that of the misinformation. New research from APPC finds bypassing may be superior to correction in forming beliefs, but not in attitude about the delivered information.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center ・

Illustration of a historic maritime harbor.

Research connecting the land and the sea

Ph.D. candidate Chelsea Cohen, a historical and maritime archaeologist in Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences, combines terrestrial and underwater methods in her research of historical port cities, agroforestry, and maritime culture.

From The McNeil Center for Early American Studies ・

A cartoon elephant and donkey next to an American flag.

How to reduce partisan animosity

Matthew Levendusky, a professor of political science in Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences, explains the results of a megastudy that explores whether anything could bridge the political gap between the left and right among Americans.

Michele W. Berger ・



In the News


The New York Times

A century-old law’s aftershocks are still felt at the Supreme Court

PIK Professor Karen M. Tani says that granting the Supreme Court the power to set its own agenda has caused it to gravitate toward cases that have preoccupied the conservative legal movement.

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The Telegraph

Bankruptcy, depression and random death: Xi’s China is tearing itself apart

Victor H. Mair of the School of Arts & Sciences says that people in China have many memes that represent opting out of society.

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Associated Press

What billionaires and their advisers say keeps them from giving more and faster

Katherina Rosqueta of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the School of Social Policy & Practice says that donors sometimes struggle with seeing how to make a difference, given that philanthropic funding is tiny compared to government spending or the business sector.

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Civil discourse: Tips for navigating potentially divisive discussions around the holiday table

Research co-authored by Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences found that political discussions between members of opposing voting parties helped reduce polarization and negative views of the other side.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

Memories of her Holocaust survivor father guided Amy Gutmann’s tenure as ambassador to Germany

Amy Gutmann of the Annenberg School for Communication discusses her work as U.S. ambassador to Germany and the need to stand with Europe in defending Ukraine.

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