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.
Election 2024: The home stretch
Harris and Trump are hitting the campaign trail hard in the season's final stretch. Experts from UW-Madison can discuss the visit and the state of the race in Wisconsin.
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Barry Burden on: Election 2024
Barry Burden, a professor of political science and director of the Elections Research Center, can discuss the role of Wisconsin and other swing states in the election, the Electoral College, voter turnout, the politics of Wisconsin, and past presdidential candidate visits to the state.
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Laura Dresser on: Wisconsin labor outlook and economy
The economy is top of mind for voters as they go to the polls. Laura Dresser, associate director of the High Road Strategy Center, can discuss the Wisconsin labor market and outlook ahead.
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Laura Albert on: The math behind ballot drop boxes
Wisconsin voters have the option of using ballot drop boxes, thanks to a July ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that overturned a 2022 decision outlawing them. Laura Albert, an expert on analytics and mathematical modeling, has researched their impact on voter turnout and can discuss why it's not just the number of boxes that matter but the locations.
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Erin Barbato on: 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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Steven Deller on: The Wisconsin economy
Steven Deller is a professor and economist in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Deller is available for interviews about the Wisconsin economy, the rural U.S. economy and economic growth and development policies.
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Allison Prasch on: Harris and Trump make their final case
Presidential rhetoric expert Alison Prasch is available for interviews about the candidates' messaging in the campaign season's home stretch. Prasch can comment on Harris's remarks in Wisconsin and the impact of both candidates in the final days of the race.
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Connie Flanagan on: Gen Z at the polls
Nearly 41 million members of Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2011) are eligible to vote this year. But will they show up to the polls?
Connie Flanagan, an expert on youth engagement in politics, can discuss what influences civic engagement among young people and the issues Gen Z cares about.
Experts on today’s news
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Claus Andersen on: Dwindling daylight
As days grow darker and daylight saving time ends in the turn toward winter, experts form the University of Wisconsin–Madison are available with advice about how to cope. Professor of Scandinavian Studies, Claus Andersen, is available for interviews about the Scandinavian way of coping with winter: hygge. The concept focuses on making life cozy, enjoying the dark, and living well over the winter months.
Psychologist Shilagh Mirgain can discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and how to build a winter toolkit to foster well-being.
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Morgan Edwards on: Inequity in cleaner, more efficient heating technology
Morgan Edwards, an expert on climate policy and fossil fuel phaseout, recently published a study in Joule that analyzes the use of heat pumps across different demographics. The study found that properties with residents from historically disadvantaged populations, especially renters, are less likely to use heat pumps despite the technology's ability to cut heating costs and provide a more efficient, cleaner electrification alternative to fossil fuel dependent heat sources.
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Richard Hartel on: Trick or treats -- the science behind candy
Candy isn't just yummy. It's science. Richard Hartel teaches courses on candy, including a two-week course in July known as "Candy School." Hartel can discuss the science behind the treats we enjoy, especially during Halloween.
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Irwin Goldman on: Pumpkin time!
It’s pumpkin season, but what makes for the perfect gourd? Irwin Goldman, a professor of horticulture and expert on plant breeding, can talk about this seasonal tradition.
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Jonathan Martin on: Warm fall weather
There are Halloweens witches and superheroes have to bundle up. And then there's this year. Late October has seen temperatures in the 70s and even 80s. September to October of 2024 has been the second warmest it’s been since 1938, according to Jonathan Martin, a professor in the UW-Madison Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Department. Martin can discuss what's behind this unusually warm weather and give a Halloween trick-or-treating forecast.
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Jack Nitschke on: The psychology of fear
So, you like scary movies. Why? Jack Nitschke, an expert on the neuroscience of emotion, can help explain why we like being scared, especially during Halloween.
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Kari Wisinski on: Breast cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Kari Wisinski, a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer, can discuss.
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Jonathan Temte on: The seasonal flu shot
Family medicine professor Jonathan Temte is available to discuss this year's updated seasonal flu shot and flu prevention and control.
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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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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.