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Dean Mark Trodden on what’s next for Penn Arts & Sciences
Mark Trodden with folded arms in front of College Hall.

Mark Trodden, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.

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Dean Mark Trodden on what’s next for Penn Arts & Sciences

Dean Trodden reflects on his first year on the job, how the School of Arts & Sciences is supporting students’ futures through curriculum innovation, the new Physical Sciences Complex, and other initiatives.

6 min. read

Social networks outsmart cognitive biases

Social networks outsmart cognitive biases

A new study from the Annenberg School for Communication shows how herding in networks makes populations more rational.

From Annenberg School for Communication

2 min. read

Q&A: Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation
Historical image of a group of African Americans at Juneteenth celebration in 1900.19

A Juneteenth Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas. 

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  • Q&A

    • Q&A: Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation

    Penn Today spoke with Marcia Chatelain of Africana Studies and Kermit Roosevelt of Penn Carey Law about the history of the Emancipation Proclamation and the impact of Juneteenth throughout the American story and today.

    4 min. read

    A ‘second sight’ on American history
    The cast of Sinners on stage at the Oscars receiving an award.

    Image: Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images

    A ‘second sight’ on American history

    In her new book, Annenberg School for Communication professor Sarah J. Jackson traces how historical and contemporary writers, journalists, and filmmakers have strengthened the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    4 min. read

    Q&A: How big, loud trucks quietly shape people’s lives
    Fuel prices are displayed at a truck stop next to a parked truck.

    With diesel prices on the climb, truckers across the United States are adopting fuel-saving measures like driving more slowly to reduce operating expenses.

    (Image: Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images)

    Q&A: How big, loud trucks quietly shape people’s lives

    Sociologist Steve Viscelli discusses the pain points many American truckers face as they contend with rising fuel costs and the shifting transportation landscape.

    3 min. read

    AI education for kids
    A student experimenting with a handheld STEM project in a classroom.

    Image: Courtesy of Penn GSE

    AI education for kids

    An interdisciplinary seminar at Penn’s Graduate School of Education explores how students can design, critique, and teach AI and machine learning in K–12 education.

    From Penn GSE

    2 min. read

    Visions of nonprofit news in PA
    A newspaper being printed on a modern printing press.

    Image: MediaProduction via Getty Images

    Visions of nonprofit news in PA

    Penn researchers identified two competing visions of nonprofit news, a restorationist vision and a transformational vision, and calculated the cost of implementing each vision.

    2 min. read

    A different way of thinking about side effects
    A person holding a prescription pill bottle in their hand.

    Image: Catherine McQueen via Getty Images

    A different way of thinking about side effects

    The new book “Side Effects: The Social Ecology of Adverse Drug Reactions,” by sociologist Jason Schnittker and former Ph.D. student Duy Do, makes the case that side effects are a product of social, cultural, and institutional forces.

    3 min. read

    What makes messages persuasive?
    A person signing paperwork from a salesman at an outdoor car lot.

    Image: Maskot via Getty Images

    What makes messages persuasive?

    Psychology researchers Dolores Albarracín and Yubo Zhou studied the relative persuasive impact of messages expressing attitudes, describing behaviors, or combining both.

    2 min. read

    Many Americans pessimistic about AI’s impact—and want more regulation

    Many Americans pessimistic about AI’s impact—and want more regulation

    Results of a survey from Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center find that only 17% of Americans believe AI will have a positive impact on the United States over the next decade, while 42% expect its effects to be negative.