12.15
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Bridging the gap between Penn students and the West Philly community
In a seminar co-taught by Herman Beavers and Suzana Berger, undergraduates work alongside Sayre High School students and West Philadelphia residents to study the works of August Wilson.
VAWA renewal is overdue—but approval is contentious
The landmark 1994 legislation—the Violence Against Women Act—is up for reauthorization, and includes a firearm-related provision.
How news media cover gene editing and scientific retractions
The Annenberg Public Policy Center has released a pair of Science Media Monitor reports analyzing how the news media cover two important issues in science—gene editing and scientific retractions.
Cells and cinema
As a biology major, senior Andrew Ravaschiere spends much of his time in a laboratory conducting cellular research. But as a cinema and media studies minor, he got out of the lab and into the world of filmmaking during the summer, working as an intern for a documentary filmmaker.
Fighting the assault on free press
In The Philadelphia Inquirer, commentary from Penn President Amy Gutmann emphasizes the importance of open expression for any democracy to survive and flourish.
How tactical preservation can save endangered buildings in Philly and Detroit
PennDesign studios are beginning a three-year project called Detroit/Philadelphia Preservation Exchange, investigating preservation issues in distressed neighborhoods in the two cities.
Does teen cannabis use lead to behavior problems—or vice versa?
Research led by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that cannabis use among teens does not appear to lead to greater conduct problems or greater affiliation with other teens who smoke cannabis, which previous research had suggested to be possible.
World AIDS Day: What’s happening with the epidemic today
Professor of Medicine and Associate Chief of the Infectious Diseases Division Ian Frank explains progress made and challenges still faced in the world of HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and treatment.
Extreme weather won’t sway climate skeptics
Experiencing extreme weather is not enough to convince climate change skeptics that humans are damaging the environment, according to a new study based on research at the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Students take gold in Japanese language contest
In a Japanese-language speaking competition hosted at George Washington University, two Penn students won among university-level competitors from across the country.
In the News
PBS NewsHour
Could driverless vehicles spell the end of the road for truck drivers?
Steve Viscelli, a Senior Fellow and a lecturer in the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and the Department of Sociology, was cited for his book about the trucking industry. “The biggest threat to the truck drivers is not job loss in the near term,” he said. Rather, job quality is at risk.
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The Washington Post
Why the speech George H.W. Bush didn’t give may be his most important
Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said the late George Bush’s notable restraint after the Berlin Wall fell characterized his presidency. “Sometimes the right thing to do is not celebrate and engage in a rhetoric of triumph,” she said.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
In Philly galleries, three must-see shows for December
The Arthur Ross Gallery is host to “Citizen Salon,” a crowd-sourced exhibition of works chosen by Philadelphia’s art community. The show will be on display through March 24.
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WHYY Radio (Philadelphia)
Penn study: Marijuana doesn’t cause bad behavior — it’s the other way around
A new study, co-authored by Dan Romer of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, has found that marijuana may not be the “gateway drug” it was once thought to be. “Previous research had suggested that using marijuana would lead to conduct problems,” said Romer. “We found the exact reverse.”
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The Washington Post
Parenthood lost: How incarcerated parents are losing their children forever
PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts said the child-welfare system is biased against poor parents, especially incarcerated women of color. “Instead of actually responding to the struggles of poor families …. we’ve decided that it’s simpler to take their children away,” said Roberts.
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