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How has talking about politics changed in the last quarter-century?
Two people speaking in a government building.

Americans are having more political conversations than they were 24 years ago, and are more likely to be talking with people they agree with politically, Penn researcher Diana C. Mutz finds.

(Image: Hill Street Studios via Getty Images)

How has talking about politics changed in the last quarter-century?

Penn researcher Diana Mutz finds that we’re having more political conversations now with like-minded people, and that political intolerance has increased as a result.

2 min. read

Why aren’t America’s national roadways working?
Traffic from New Jersey to Philadelphia.

Professor of city and regional planning Erick Guerra recently published a book exploring the economic and societal impacts of American highways. He explains some of the pitfalls associated with an ever-expansive highway system, arguing that spending more on highways might not be the solution to the country’s transportation issues.

(Image: Courtesy of Getty / peeterv)

Why aren’t America’s national roadways working?

Penn urban planner Erick Guerra’s new book, “Overbuilt,” argues that additional spending on building more highways might not be the solution to the country’s transportation issues. In a Q&A, Guerra shares his insights.

4 min. read

Philosophy, technology, and pushing beyond human limitations
Gary Purpura teaches class.

But to Gary Purpura, the associate vice provost for education and academic planning in the Office of the Provost and a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, is teaching Enhancing the Human Mind with Technology this semester.

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Philosophy, technology, and pushing beyond human limitations

Gary Purpura’s class Enhancing the Human Mind with Technology introduces students to philosophy through the lens of transhumanism, illustrating the possibilities of technology to enhance the human condition and expand the idea of what it means to be human.

3 min. read

Dolores Albarracín receives Career Award from Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Dolores Albarracín receives Career Award from Society for Personality and Social Psychology

The Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center’s Communication Science division has been honored with the 2025 Career Contribution Award from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology for her contributions to social psychology.

Why rental support works
Vincent Reina and Sara Jaffee.

“You’re seeing a dramatic improvement in housing stability outcomes,” says Vincent Reina, pictured with Sara Jaffee.

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Why rental support works

Cash assistance drastically reduces tenants’ likelihood of eviction and homelessness, according to an ongoing study of the PHLHousing+ program from Weitzman’s Vincent Reina and Arts & Sciences’ Sara Jaffee.

From the Weitzman School of Design

2 min. read

Using artificial intelligence to improve public health campaigns across Philadelphia

Using artificial intelligence to improve public health campaigns across Philadelphia

Annenberg School for Communication professor Andy Tan and research associate and Lecturer Matthew Brook O'Donnell are interested in how artificial intelligence could make it easier for community-based organizations to improve public health in Philadelphia.

Harnessing technology in research to improve well-being
Tony Shaw, Dennis Culhane, Isabel Algrant, Ken Miles, and Shana Kleiner at table.

As part of the year-long Politics of Well-Being series from the School of Social Policy & Practice and the Andrea Mitchell Center for the Study of Democracy, Tony Shaw moderated a conversation with Dennis Culhane, Isabel Algrant, Ken Miles, and Shana Kleiner.

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Harnessing technology in research to improve well-being

As part of the Politics of Well-Being speaker series, researchers in the School of Social Policy & Practice talked about their work helping governments address social issues and creating a joy-centered framework for AI development.

3 min. read