These experts from the UW–Madison faculty and staff have agreed to comment on breaking news, ongoing developments and trends in their areas of expertise. If you need help arranging interviews, email the Office of Strategic Communication.
Hurricane season
Hurricane Helene hit hard followed closely by Hurricane Milton. And the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't end until Nov. 30. Experts from UW–Madison are available for insight and analysis.
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Mark Sidel on: Donating during disasters
Mark Sidel, an expert in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, can give tips on how to make sure you are donating to a reputable organization, especially after disasters like hurricanes.
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Chris Vagasky on: Lightning strikes during hurricanes
Hurricane Milton’s eyewall, where the storm’s strongest winds are, exhibited more than 58,000 lightning events in just 14 hours. Chris Vagasky, an expert on lightning and lightning safety, said it's something only 10 percent of tropical cyclones around the world develop. By comparison, Hurricane Ian, which became a Category 5 hurricane in the Gulf in 2022, only had roughly 1,000 lightning events. Vagasky can discuss what conditions made this possible and why it's significant.
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Daniel Wright on: Inland flooding
Daniel Wright is a hydrologist and water resources engineer who is an expert on flooding. He can speak about hazards associated with inland flooding and how stormwater infrastructure can reduce them.
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Max Besbris on: Hurricane property damage and inequality
Associate professor of sociology Max Besbris is available for interviews about how storm damage can exacerbate inequality, and how residents decide whether to rebuild or leave after extensive property damage.
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Shane Hubbard on: The cost of natural disasters
Shane Hubbard, a research scientist at the Space Science and Engineering Center, is available for interviews about impacts from the hurricane and flooding. Hubbard is an expert in loss and damage estimation following natural disasters.
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Derrick Herndon on: Hurricane intensity forecasting
Derrick Herndon, an expert on using satellite data to study the intensity of hurricanes, can discuss the role forecasting plays.
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Sarah Griffin on: Forecasting hurricanes
Sarah Griffin is an expert on tropical cyclone meteorology and validating the accuracy of forecasts. She can speak about the use of satellite data to track and predict tropical cyclones and hurricanes.
Experts on today’s news
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Erin Barbato on: Election 2024: Immigration and border policies
Erin Barbato, director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic, can discuss immigration and border policies. She teaches second and third year law students to represent individuals in removal proceedings and with humanitarian-based immigration relief. The work often involves representing people seeking refuge in the United States. Previously, Barbato worked as an immigration attorney at a non-profit organization and in private practice as well.
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Sara McKinnon on: Election 2024: Immigration, U.S. refugee and asylum law
Sara McKinnon, a professor of rhetoric, politics & culture in the Department of Communication Arts, and Faculty Director of Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies, can discuss U.S. refugee and asylum law, and human rights.
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Ben Marquez on: Election 2024: Immigration and Latino populations
Immigration has become a huge issue this election year. Ben Marquez, an expert on Latinx political interests and political advocacy, can discuss why it's become such a political issue and the impact.
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Lucas Graves on: Fact-checking and the presidential election
Lucas Graves, professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, is available for interviews about the role of fact-checking in an election year and the perception of fact-checking among candidates and the media.
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Patrick (PJ) Liesch on: Fall nuisance bugs
Box elder bugs, brown stink bugs, and Asian lady bettles are finding their way into homes this fall. PJ Liesch, director of the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab, is available for interviews about these nuisance bugs and when their numbers should die down.
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Susanna Widicus Weaver on: NASA mission to Europa
NASA launched its Europa Clipper spacecraft this month on a mission to study Europa, the ocean moon of Jupiter. Among the chief questions: does Europa contain the ingredients for life? Astrochemist Susanna Widicus–Weaver, leader of the Wisconsin Center for Origins Research, is available for interviews about the mission and the prospect for life on Europa.
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Shilagh Mirgain on: Managing election anxiety
As election 2024 draws closer, many people are experiencing election-related stress and and anxiety. Experts from UW–Madison are available to discuss stress management and how to cope with pre and post-election anxiety. Psychlogist Shilagh Mirgain is available to discuss how to foster mind-body skills for well being.
Charles Raison, professor in the School of Human Ecology, can provide insight on anxiety, depression, stress-management and well being.
Cortland Dahl, research scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, is available for interviews to discuss using mindfulness and meditation to cope with election-related stressors.
