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Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
A food journey across the Middle East
A food journey across the Middle East
During a summer internship with Professor Heather J. Sharkey, four undergrads studied oranges, olive oil, coffee, and sorghum in an effort to understand their political, nutritional, and emotional value to the region.
Belief in conspiracy theories is a barrier to controlling spread of COVID-19
Belief in conspiracy theories is a barrier to controlling spread of COVID-19
Belief in conspiracy theories about the coronavirus pandemic is not only persistent but also is associated with reluctance to accept a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available.
Understanding death
Understanding death
In the latest episode of Penn Today’s “Understand This ...” podcast series, assistant professor of Religious Studies Jolyon Thomas and Director of Pastoral Services James Browning explore dialogues around death.
Barbara Savage sees ‘bright spots’ in her research, even in a pandemic
Barbara Savage sees ‘bright spots’ in her research, even in a pandemic
Before the world went into lockdown, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought in the Department of Africana Studies at Penn had been traveling around the globe to conduct research for her latest project.
Undergraduate research poster session goes virtual
Undergraduate research poster session goes virtual
The Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships’ new online platform, Penn Presents, virtually display undergraduate research activities. The first event is the 14th annual Fall Research Expo featuring more than 300 posters.
Climate Week offers something for ‘every member of the Penn community’
Climate Week offers something for ‘every member of the Penn community’
With participation from schools, centers, and groups across the University and a focus on the interplay of the climate emergency with social justice issues and the global pandemic, Climate Week at Penn will run September 21-25. The week’s dozens of events will help participants learn about the climate crisis—and then act.
Amid pandemic and protests, civics survey finds Americans know more of their rights
Amid pandemic and protests, civics survey finds Americans know more of their rights
The 2020 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey reveals Americans have a greater awareness of government and individuals’ rights, a byproduct of highly charged political times.
Can Galápagos businesses be eco-friendly and profitable at once?
Can Galápagos businesses be eco-friendly and profitable at once?
In an effort to try for this, a group of Penn undergrads led by doctoral student Jesse Hamilton partnered with five small enterprises on the islands. Even amidst a global pandemic and local civil unrest, the pilot was a success.
The striking shift in climate politics in a post-Sandy New York City
The striking shift in climate politics in a post-Sandy New York City
Analysis of conversations with 75 disaster responders, social activists, and others revealed that immediately following the superstorm, the city moved away from cutting greenhouse gas emissions and toward adaptation.
‘India front and center’
‘India front and center’
Tariq Thachil talks with Penn Today about his current work on migration and urbanization in south Asia, the balance between research and teaching, and his new role as the director of the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI).
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
They Shazamed songs blasting from cars on Philly’s Girard Avenue and created a ‘Girard Jams’ playlist on Spotify
Guthrie Ramsey of the School of Arts & Sciences spoke about two Philadelphians who compiled a playlist of songs played from cars passing by their apartment. “If we all listen to playlists created in that manner for us, you might get a different understanding about the world surrounding you,” he said.
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CNBC
$300 unemployment benefits end in at least 9 states as stimulus hopes fade
Ioana Marinescu of the School of Social Policy & Practice spoke about the absence of a second stimulus detail and its impact on unemployed Americans. “This is going to be hardest on more disadvantaged, lower-income individuals and communities of color because they’ve been disproportionately impacted by job loss,” she said. “Also, a dollar means more to a poor person than a rich person. Losing those precious dollars is really a meaningful loss for those people.”
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Chicago Tribune
Commentary: Ruth Bader Ginsburg practiced anti-cancel culture
Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education wrote an op-ed about how Ruth Bader Ginsburg modeled a better way of engaging with political and intellectual opponents. “Her entire career reflected the faith that you could move others to your point of view,” he said.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
What scares Pa. teens about climate change and how do they want to fight back, a year after massive global protests?
Freshman Nia Peterson shared how she became passionate about combatting climate change. “To provide ourselves and our futures a fighting chance, we first need to acknowledge the situation,” she wrote.
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PBS NewsHour
Gehry-designed Eisenhower Memorial unveiled after 20 years—during a fraught moment
David Eisenhower of the Annenberg School for Communication spoke about a new memorial to his grandfather, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. “I think memorialization is a process that is renewed,” he said. “So, when you dedicate the memorial, I think that you are investing or gambling, in a sense, on the future, that the message that a memorial conveys will have a kind of timeless quality to it.”
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