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.
Black Friday and beyond Holiday spending/giving season
As we approach the peak retail season surrounding the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas holidays, academic experts from the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology are available to address interview topics like consumer behavior, financial decision-making and well-being, end-of-year giving (philanthropy), sustainability, consumption trends and more.
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Cliff Robb on: Inflation and financial decision-making
How bad is inflation right now? How is it expected to impact holiday spending? Cliff Robb, department chair and a professor of consumer science, can discuss.
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Mary Beth Collins on: Philanthropy and end-of-year giving
How might current events like inflation and conflict in the Middle East impact philanthropic giving this holiday season? How might inflation impact consumers’ decision to spend money at small businesses and/or those owned by women or minorities vs. large corporations?
How is access to food impacted by holiday school breaks/the holidays in general? Where can people in need turn for assistance this holiday season?
Mary Beth Collins, executive director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, can discuss philanthropy and the giving season.
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Nancy Wong on: The psychology of holiday shopping
Why do people spend money the way they do during the holidays? How do they feel about these spending choices?
Nancy Wong, a professor in consumer science, can discuss.
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J. Michael Collins on: Policies and programs related to consumer finance and financial literacy
How might inflation impact holiday spending? How does this differ by income level? J. Michael Collins, director of the Center for Financial Security and a professor of consumer science, is available for interviews.
Experts on today’s news
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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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Stanley Temple on: Fall phenology
The days have finally started getting cooler and we all know winter awaits. Stanley Temple, an expert on birds, wildlife, endangered species, wildlife conservation and biodiversity, can discuss phenology, a fancy word for the study of seasonal events in nature. You can listen to Temple talk about the topic on WPR.
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Dominique Brossard on: Vaccine hesitancy
With a new administration poised to take power in January, a change in policy regarding vaccines may also be on the way. Dominique Brossard, an expert on trust in science and public understanding of science, is available for interviews about the topic.
