The work of the Penn Humanities Forum is organized under yearly themes whose breadth invites students, faculty, and the general public to discover common ground.

Each topic generates a high-profile program of public lectures, exhibitions, and performances, most free and all open to the public.

Anonymous 4, Tariq Ali, George Crumb, Manuel deLanda, Jenny Holzer, Charles Jencks, Steven Pinker, Sylvia Plachy, Karim Rashid, Edward Said, Kiki Smith, and Art Spiegelman are just a few of the notable thinkers and artists who have addressed our town–gown audiences over the years (see Sitemap for complete listing).

Through annual fellowships, students, professors, and experts from Philadelphia's cultural institutions conduct independent research on the year's topic, coming together to discuss their work in ongoing seminars and special colloquia.

Click on the individual topic listings (left) for descriptions and more information on each year's programs and fellowships.