What to Do About the Covid Slide

The city has finally started planning for ways to help students make up for pandemic-related learning loss. But do we really want to just get back to normal?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

The Citizen Recommends: Stitching Our Futures

Mural Arts’ participatory quilting project invites all of us to imagine—and create—a city budget that reflects who we want to be

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Can Free Cash Solve Philly’s Poverty Problem?

More than 30 cities, including ours, have signed on to give unrestricted cash payments to some residents this year. Is this a progressive fad or the way to really fix what ails us?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

“Those Nerdy Girls” Explain The Pandemic to America

A volunteer team of women scientists, many from Philly, launched Dear Pandemic last year to spread real and clear information about Covid-19. They now speak to 1 million people a month.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

The Fix: How To Reform The City Charter

Our Drexel class on rewriting Philly’s constitution last year produced dozens of ideas. Here are some of the best for changing the relationship between government and the governed.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Choose Democracy

The assault on the U.S. Capitol yesterday was (let’s hope) the nadir of our 240 year history. It’s time to pick a side: Are you for or against democracy?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy