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.
Back-to-school experts available
With August days ticking down to September, experts from UW–Madison are available to discuss back-to-school transitions for students, teachers, and parents.
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Travis Wright on: Teaching through trauma
Travis Wright is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology and faculty director of the Morgridge Center for Public Service. As the new school year gets underway against a backdrop of lingering pandemic concerns and the threat of gun violence, Wright is available to discuss how teachers and schools can respond in times of trauma and stress.
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Beth Olson on: Healthy eating for families
Beth Olson, associate professor and extension specialist in the UW–Madison Department of Nutritional Sciences, can offer advice about how to shop for and eat healthy food even when life is busy and the cost of food is rising.
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Heather Kirkorian on: Managing screen time
Heather Kirkorian, an expert on the impact of screen media on young children and an associate professor of human development and family studies, is available for interviews about how parents and caregivers can evaluate how much screen time is appropriate for children with the approach of a new school year and the demands of homework and extra-curricular activities.
Experts on today’s news
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Paul Wilson on: Nuclear plant at risk in Ukraine
Paul Wilson is a nuclear engineer and chair of the Engineering Physics department. A Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Ukraine has reached a "grave hour," according to a UN watchdog. Wilson can comment on the plant's safety and what's at stake.
“It’s critically important that a safe zone free of military activity be created around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," says Wilson.
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Kenneth Mayer on: Primary and midterm elections
Experts from UW–Madison are available to offer their insight and expertise on primary and midterm election results in Wisconsin and beyond. Kenneth Mayer is a professor of political science and an expert on election administering. He can discuss the effects of redistricting, turnout, and voting rights.
Barry Burden is director of the Elections Research Center. He's available to discuss the elections in general, campaigns, polling and public opinion, political parties, and election administration.
David Canon, a professor of political science, is available to provide analysis on racial representation, redistricting, and Congress.
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Jonathan Temte on: Monkeypox
Jonathan Temte, an expert on epidemiology and management of viral outbreaks, can discuss the spread of the monkeypox virus, how it is transmitted and how to manage infection risk. Gay and bisexual men remain at greatest risk. "It is most common right now in the gay community, in men who have sex with men, simply because this is where things emerged," Temte says.
Ajay Sethi, an expert on infectious disease epidemiology, can also talk about the virus and how it's spread, as well as how to navigate discussions about risk. "At this time, gay men represent most of the people who have experienced monkeypox infection, and the virus has been spreading through intimate or sexual contact. ... However, anyone — regardless of their sexual identity and even younger children — can become infected following prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox infection or by sharing clothing or bedding with someone with monkeypox infection. The virus can also spread through respiratory secretions, so it can be spread between people during prolonged face-to-face contact or when sharing drinks or utensils. The virus can cross the placenta in pregnant people." -
James Lattis on: August night-sky viewing opportunities
James Lattis, an expert on observational astronomy and astronomy education, can discuss three upcoming opportunities in August, including the last supermooon of 2022, the Perseid meteor showers, and an unusually good view of Saturn.
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Andrea Dutton on: New climate and health care bill moves forward
The Inflation Reducation Act, a sweeping piece of legislation containing climate, tax, and health care policy appears close to clearing Congress. The bill represents the largest climate investment in U.S. history. Experts from UW–Madison are available for interviews.
Andrea Dutton, a MacArthur fellow and professor of geography, can discuss the science of climate change and sea level rise. Dutton says,"The IRA passed by the Senate is a landmark piece of legislation that is long past due. Though scientists have been raising the alarm about climate change for decades, it was the momentum built by grassroots organizers and activists that kept the pressure on our elected officials. This must be the first step of many though - one piece of legislation will not solve all the challenges that human-driven climate change poses. The shortfalls of this deal provide the outline for our next steps."
Jonathan Patz is an expert on the health effects of global climate change. He is available to comment on the health benefits likely to result from new clean energy investments. "I'm most enthusiastic about the climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act," says Patz, "because the climate crisis is a health crisis, clearly evident from the high frequency of extreme weather events worldwide. Health benefits will be realized right away as we move to clean energy; estimates approach 4,000 lives saved annually from the bill's policies that will reduce air pollution."
Morgan Edwards is an assistant professor in the La Follette School of Public Affairs and an expert on climate policy. She is available to discuss how the IRA will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades, and the possible impact of a methane fee. Edwards says, "The Inflation Reduction Act is the largest climate spending bill in American history. There is more work to be done, but this is a significant step towards meeting our national climate goals."
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Charles Raison, MD on: Psilocybin goes mainstream
States are beginning to update laws concerning the therapeutic uses of psilocybin and the Biden administration is following suit. Charles Raison is available for interviews about the news. Raison is an expert on mental health, depression, and psilocybin and has just been awarded a $2.1 million dollar grant with UW–Madison's Giulio Tononi to study the role of consciousness in the therapeutic effects of psilocybin.
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Kathleen Bartzen Culver on: Anonymous sources fuel coverage of Mar-a-Lago FBI raid
Kathleen Bartzen Culver, director of the Center for Journalism Ethics, is available to discuss the use of anonymous sources in the media coverage of this week's FBI raid on Donald Trump's Florida home, Mar-a-Lago.
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Steven Deller on: Inflation and recession or growth and improvement?
Steven Deller is a professor of agriculture and applied economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Deller is available now for interviews to discuss the latest economic indicators and what they say about the health and direction of the economy.
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James Conway on: New report on Covid-19 complications and children
James Conway, pediatrics professor and expert on pediatric infectious diseases, is available for interviews to discuss a new report about Covid-19 conditions and complications in children and adolescents.
