Megan Robb Named Julie and Martin Franklin Assistant Professor of Religious Studies

Megan Robb, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, has been named Julie and Martin Franklin Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. Robb is an accomplished scholar of South Asian Islam, with a particular focus is on the history of interpretative communities and literary publics.  Her first monograph, Print and the Urdu Public: Muslims, Newspapers, and Urban Life, 1900-1950, is under contract with Oxford University Press. She has also recently co-edited a volume of essays entitled Muslims Against the Muslim League: Critiques of the Idea of Pakistan with Cambridge University Press and a special issue for the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society entitled “Urban Emotions in South Asia.” Her next book project will focus on youth in public life in South Asia in the late colonial and early independence period.

Julie and Martin Franklin are both ardent supporters of Penn who established this chair in 2008 to recognize and retain eminent scholars and professors who demonstrate outstanding performance in their field. Martin Franklin, C'86, is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Jarden Corporation and has served on the boards of Promotora de Informaciones S.A., Kenneth Cole Productions, and GLG Inc. Julie Franklin, C'87, currently serves on Penn's Social Policy and Practice Overseers Board and the Trustees' Council of Penn Women.

Arts & Sciences News

Mark Trodden named Dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences

A distinguished physicist and accomplished academic leader, Trodden will assume the role on June 1.

View Article >
2025 School of Arts & Sciences Teaching Awards Announced

Penn Arts & Sciences annually recognizes faculty, lecturers, and graduate students for their exemplary teaching. This year’s honorees come from 10 departments and two programs.

View Article >
2025 College of Arts & Sciences Graduation Speakers

Michael Platt, James S. Riepe University Professor, will speak at this year’s College of Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony, along with student speaker Anthony Wong, C’25, Sunday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. on Franklin Field.

View Article >
Three from Penn Arts & Sciences Elected 2024 AAAS Fellows

They include Marlyse Baptista, President’s Distinguished Professor of Linguistics; M. Susan Lindee is the Janice and Julian Bers Professor of History and Sociology of Science; and Christopher Murray, Richard Perry University Professor.

View Article >
Penn Arts & Sciences Receives $8 Million Commitment from The Robert K. Johnson Foundation

The gift will name and endow the Integrated Studies Program, which offers an immersive, interdisciplinary learning experience for Benjamin Franklin Scholars students pursuing degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences.

View Article >
Kimberly Bowes Named BFC Presidential Professor of Classical Studies

Bowes' research interests include Roman archaeology and economic history, with a particular focus on the lived experiences of the ancient poor.

View Article >