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Communications

Study finds surprising source of social influence
cartoon social media influencer headshot against background of social media icons.

Study finds surprising source of social influence

A new study co-authored by ASC’s Damon Centola finds that as prominent and revered as social influencers seem to be, they are unlikely to change a person’s behavior by example, and might actually be detrimental to the cause.

From Annenberg School for Communication

The Panoptic Sort: Surveillance Q&A with Oscar Gandy
graphic profile of a human overlaid with images of the modern tech world

The Panoptic Sort: Surveillance Q&A with Oscar Gandy

With the second edition of his classic 1993 book “The Panoptic Sort” recently published, Gandy discusses the past, present, and future of surveillance.

From Annenberg School for Communication

Conservative media diets tied to distrust in health officials

Conservative media diets tied to distrust in health officials

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center spoke about the politicization of public health information on COVID-19 in the U.S. "When you begin to reduce trust in experts and agencies telling you that vaccines are safe, you're creating all kinds of susceptibilities that can be exploited for partisan gain," she said.

Despite outbreaks among unvaccinated, Fox News hosts smear shots

Despite outbreaks among unvaccinated, Fox News hosts smear shots

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said amplifying vaccine skepticism on Fox News and other conservative media outlets could deepen reluctance among viewers. “If you have constant exposure to an outlet that is raising vaccination hesitancy, raising questions about vaccinations, that is something to anchor you in your position that says, ‘I’m not going to take the vaccine,’” she said.

P.O. Box 34: Students connect with incarcerated writers
House number sign that reads 34.

Image: Marianne Bos vis Unsplash

P.O. Box 34: Students connect with incarcerated writers

Incarcerated writers who participate in the P.O. Box 34 program are paired up with a Penn undergraduate student who corresponds with them about their work.

From Annenberg School for Communication

Translating the immigrant experience into intercultural expertise
Smiling woman with folded hands stands near Locust Walk

Kia Lor, a first-generation Hmong American, navigates interculturalism as the new associate director of Greenfield Intercultural Center. 

Translating the immigrant experience into intercultural expertise

Kia Lor of the Greenfield Intercultural Center supports students at Penn while navigating multiple cultures.

Kristina Linnea García

Why storytelling is an important tool for social change

Why storytelling is an important tool for social change

Emily Falk of the Annenberg School for Communication explained the neuroscience behind how the brain processes and learns from stories. “Storytelling alone, of course, can’t produce structural changes in the justice system or create better policies aimed at health, the environment and other issues that affect our well-being,” she wrote. “But that said, changing systems large or small has to start with effective communication.”