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Education, Business, & Law
Science and politics: a Q&A with Molly Sheehan
The School of Engineering and Applied Science postdoc researcher discusses what fascinates her about science, her unique path in science and technology, and the role scientists should play in political office.
Listening to the needs of Black male teachers
In researching his forthcoming book, Ed Brockenbrough revealed Black male teachers have a strong sense of responsibility to students, and they feel uniquely alone in that challenge.
Worth a try: anti-bias education in the workplace
Workplaces that address racial bias with anti-bias training have mixed results, but are more inclined than ever to recognize its necessity.
Breaking the bank
Economics professor Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde reveals that Bitcoin is not the first private currency in history, and may face regulation in the future.
Wrongful convictions reported for 6 percent of crimes
For capital crimes like rape and murder, wrongful convictions happen in about 3 to 5 percent of cases. Such an estimate had proved elusive for the prison population as a whole—until now, thanks to work from Penn criminologists.
Science fiction or the future of trucking?
Driverless trucks seem like science fiction, part of a far-off world where robots and humans live and work side by side.
One-fifth of homeless youth are victims of human trafficking
A new study highlights the pipeline from abuse to homelessness to sex trafficking among youth in Philadelphia, D.C., and Phoenix, the largest study to date on human trafficking and teens.
The human story of coal’s downturn
A forthcoming report from the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy will offer a range of strategies to directly impact the economic and mental health crisis in coal country.
Student startups on view
On Friday, April 27, University students with innovative startups will join with investors for the Penn Wharton Startup Showcase.
Tackling blindness with nanotechnology
To tackle blindness caused by open angle glaucoma, Brandon Kao, Rui Jing Jiang, and Adarsh Battu came up with Visiplate, a nanoscale ocular implant that shunts away excess fluid.
In the News
WHYY (Philadelphia)
3D printing companies take action against 3D guns amid debatable public safety threat
Tom Baker of the Law School discussed 3D printing manufacturers’ liability with regard to the creation of homemade guns.
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Chronicle of Higher Education
How artificial intelligence is changing teaching
Ryan Baker of the Graduate School of Education and Valerie Ross of the School of Arts and Sciences discussed the benefits and challenges of using AI in the classroom.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Is pharma getting greedier?
The Wharton School’s Mark Pauly wrote about increases in drug pricing, which he attributes to a combination of consumers’ willingness to pay more, an aging population, and effective marketing tactics.
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Forbes.com
Dig into the surprising success of Darden Restaurants
The Law School’s Jill Fisch commented on Darden’s sudden sale of Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital, saying management had effectively spat in the faces of the activist shareholders.
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The Wall Street Journal
Bankruptcy filings surge among older Americans
The Wharton School’s Olivia Mitchell commented on reports that bankruptcy rates are increasing among older people. The study’s sample was not representative, making it “impossible to determine whether the trends identified are statistically significant,” said Mitchell.
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