6.19
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
A medieval confluence
Three newly-hired Penn assistant professors, all transplants to Philadelphia, found each other soon after they arrived and discovered that, although they were in different areas of study, they all focused on the Middle Ages, specifically 13th-century France.
Wolf Humanities story slam taps into thriving ASL storytelling culture
The Wolf Humanities Center’s latest “Afterlives”-themed event recognizes a shared thread of humanity among us all: We all tell stories.
Bike lanes experiment measures cyclist response to infrastructure design
A PennDesign pilot study tracks riders in urban bike lanes to visualize a safer redesign.
Honoring Women of Color at Penn
On March 16, the Women of Color at Penn 31st Annual Awards Luncheon drew more than 300 people to the Inn at Penn to honor women whose work has promoted education, cultural diversity, and positive change on campus and in the world.
Walking through a century of conflict in the Middle East
Students of Penn Global Seminars enjoy an alternative spring break by traveling to Jordan and Israel to learn about conflict, culture and global engagement.
The future of technology
As new technologies emerge, they bring with them new ethical challenges. The topic of the future of technology was front and center on day three of the Penn Teach-in.
Lauding a transformative scholar
Chosen for her expertise in Southern and African-American literature, author and poet Thadious Davis was one of the first professors recruited by Penn President Amy Gutmann. Davis was honored at a reception and a symposium which focused on her work exploring race, region, and gender.
Opening the Teach-in by breaking down barriers
The first full day of the Penn Teach-in engaged participants with expert panels on vaccine denial and firearm violence, an "evolutionary walk through time," and a dialogue on the production and dissemination of knowledge.
Short-term effects of Daylight Saving Time
Assaults decrease by 3 percent the Monday after the switch to Daylight Saving Time in the spring, according to research from Penn criminologists.
Cleaning up vacant lots makes neighborhoods safer
Removing trash and debris, grading land, planting new grass, and maintaining lots resulted in a 29 percent reduction in gun violence, 22 percent decrease in burglaries, and 30 percent drop in nuisances.
In the News
The New York Times
Should Statutes of Limitations for Rape Be Abolished?
Marci Hamilton of the School of Arts and Sciences provided statistics on amendments to prosecution deadlines for victims of child sexual abuse and assault.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
After Trump G-7 Blast, Tension Hangs Over July NATO Meeting, Efforts to Deter Russia
Perry World House Fellow Derek Chollet and the School of Arts and Sciences’ Mitchell Orenstein offered commentary on the Trump administration’s relationships with U.S. allies.
FULL STORY →
PBS NewsHour
Brief but Spectacular: Imani Davis
English and Africana Studies major Imani Davis of New York City performed a #MeToo movement-inspired poem on the “Brief but Spectacular” segment of the “PBS NewsHour.”
FULL STORY →
Inside Higher Ed
Gender Gap Without Gender Bias?
Dawn Teele of the School of Arts and Sciences collaborated on research measuring gender bias in academic publishing. The study found that journals focused on qualitative research had higher percentages of female authors.
FULL STORY →
Chronicle of Higher Education
From Doctoral Study to … Digital Humanities
The School of Arts and Sciences’ Stewart Varner explained that “digital humanities” isn’t technically a field on its own. “But,” said Varner, “it is often treated as such by people who consider themselves digital humanists as well as those who adamantly do not.”
FULL STORY →