Speakers Bureau
Connect with Expert Speakers from the University of Pennsylvania!
The PASEF Speakers Bureau connects local community groups with retired University of Pennsylvania faculty members who are eager to share their deep knowledge and unique insights.
If you are hosting a community event, library gathering, or high school seminar, PASEF speakers bring outstanding expertise directly to your audience.
Diverse Topics of Expertise
PASEF’s roster of speakers includes distinguished Penn faculty from all across the University. Our lectures span a vast range of disciplines, from core academic fields to personal avocations. Take a look at a few featured talks below!
Avid tomato gardener and expert in food biology Scott Poethig plants many varieties of tomatoes each summer, and will share the science behind everything you need to know for your tomato garden!
Political scientist Jack Nagel explains the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and its potential to remedy the flaws of the Electoral College.
Throughout U.S. history, Americans have admired heroes who acted outside the law to serve justice and the common good, from Cooper’s Hawkeye to the Lone Ranger to John Rambo. Rogers Smith, a lifelong reader of comic books, discusses the distinct visions of virtue and justice exemplified by three of the nation’s most popular vigilantes, Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man.
Below is a list of general topics covered by our speakers – also check out our complete list of talk titles or topics!
- Law, History, & Politics: The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, elections and the electoral college, international affairs
- Science & Technology: artificial intelligence, computer science, medicine, health, food biology
- Culture & Humanities: religion, sociology, philosophy
- Unique Avocations: stamp collecting, the history of superheroes, the art of translating fiction
Our Roster of Speakers
A Year of Impact & Growth in 2025-2026
The Speakers Bureau is proud to celebrate a highly successful academic year of learning and community engagement:
- Our speakers received 47 talk invitations
- Our bureau added 3 new members, bringing the total to 12
- Our monthly newsletters reached a highly interested local audience, with over 50% engaged in our mailings
- Speakers were featured in a podcast and a newspaper article this year