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 University Communications.
Hurricane season is underway
Hurricane Lee has weakened as it makes its way up East coast while tropical storm Nigel gains strength. Experts from UW–Madison are available for commentary and analysis.
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Derrick Herndon on: Hurricane intensity forecasting
Derrick Herndon uses satellite data to study the intensity of hurricanes. Herndon can speak to reporters about forecasting and storm intensity.
James Kossin is an expert on hurricanes and their relationship to climate change. He is also available for interviews.
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Line Roald on: Extreme weather and the power grid
The last several months have been ones of extreme weather, with extreme power needs. Line Roald, assistant professor in the College of Engineering and an expert on electrical power systems, is available for interviews about:
- How electric load, generation and transmission is affected by heat
- The challenges this creates for the electric grid
- What grid operators and utilities do to manage the situation
- What consumers can do to help the grid and keep cool
- Longer term perspectives on how this links to adoption of renewable energy, climate change mitigation and adaptation
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Qunying Huang on: Leveraging data in Hurricane responses
Qunying Huang is also available for comment on the aftermath of the storm. Her research focuses on leveraging remote sensing, social media and machine learning to collect and extract information in the aftermath of disasters like hurricanes. She can speak to the importance of using these diverse data collection, fusion and analytical techniques to provide timely and accurate information to disaster management teams, responders and the general public, enabling more effective responses to natural hazards.
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Shane Hubbard on: Hurricane aftermath
Shane Hubbard is an expert on the effects of natural disasters and their aftermath. Hubbard, a Research Scientist, Space Science and Engineering Center, is availble for analysis.
Experts on today’s news
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Nicholas Hillman on: Student loan payments to resume
Student loan payments are set to resume after a pandemic-era break. Nicholas Hillman, professor of educational leadership & policy analysis is availalbe for interviews about what the change could mean for borrowers and the future of student loan payment policy.
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Menzie Chinn on: Economic impact of a potential government shutdown
Menzie Chinn, a professor of economics in the La Follette School of Public Affairs and an expert on government debt and deficits, can comment on the macro implications of a potential government shutdown.
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Michael Childers on: Labor movement: Writers Guild reaches deal and UAW continues strike
The Labor Movement has had an active fall. The Writers Guild reached a tentative deal with studios, while a SAG-AFTRA actors' strike is still underway.
The United Auto Workers union has launched a strike affecting plants of each of the Big 3 automakers. Michael Childers, professor in the Department of Labor Education, is available for interviews about the move, it's historical context and what could happen next. See video of Michael Childers here.
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Adam Stevenson on: Illinois becomes first state to end cash bail as condition of pretrial release
Illinois recently passed the Pretail Fairness Act which removes cash bail as a condition of pretrial release, making it the first state in the country to do so. Adam Stevenson is a clinical professor of law and director of the Frank J. Remington Center. Stevenson is available for interviews on the legislation.
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Bassam Shakhashiri on: The science of leaves changing color
Chemistry professor Bassam Shakhashiri is available ot discuss the science of leaf color change in the fall. For more on the topic, click here.
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Daniel Williford on: Morocco earthquake
Experts from UW–Madison are available to discuss the earthquake in Morocco and its aftermath. Daniel Williford is an assistant professor of history and an expert on the history of earthquakes in Morocco, including the 1960 earthquake in Agadir. Williford can also comment on the history of infrastructure in Morocco and why some affected areas have been so difficult for aid workers to access.
Richard Keller is an expert on global health and the health impact of natural disasters. Keller can provide context and analysis on the social dimensions of disaster, the health impacts on vulnerable populations and the crisis response.
