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.
Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is an occasion to celebrate love in all its guises. UW–Madison experts are available for interviews about the loved - and hated - holiday.
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David Weimer on: Why we love our dogs so much
Deep and abiding love isn’t limited to human relationships. Many people feel profound affection for our furry family as well. David Weimer is the Edwin E. Witte Professor of Political Economy in the La Follette School of Public Affairs, and the author of the new book, Dog Economics. He’s available to discuss the bond between dogs and their owners/families and how that bond has evolved over time.
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Catalina Toma on: Online dating and self-worth
Catalina Toma is a professor of communication science. She is available to discuss current online dating trends, and how using dating apps can affect the user’s mental health and feelings of self-worth.
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Lauren Papp on: Relationships and health
The strength, stress or health can have an impact on our own well-being and health. Lauren Papp is a professor of Human Development and Family Studies. She’s available for interviews about the connection between romantic relationships and health.
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Christine Whelan on: Gift trends and meaning
Christine Whelan is a clinical professor in the School of Human Ecology and the director of More: Money, Relationships and Equality. She is an expert on emotional and economic aspects related to Valentine’s Day - how to talk money with your honey, a shift towards giving wellness and experience gifts and the quest to find community and meaning.
Experts on today’s news
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Tracey Holloway on: EPA tightens air pollution rule
The EPA is toughening limits on fine industrial particles, one of the most damaging types of air pollution. Air pollution expert Tracey Holloway is availble for interviews about the poential impact of the rule.
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Howard Schweber on: Trump immunity ruling
A federal appeals court ruled that former president Trump is not immunne from prosecution charges in the 2020 federal election case. Constitutional law expert Howard Schweber is available for interviews about what the ruling means and what's next.
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Shane Hubbard on: Destructive California storms
Extreme rainfall in parts of California has led to flooding and mudslides, with more wet weather on the way. Shane Hubbard is an expert in estimating the damage caused by floods and other natural disasters. He's available for interviews on the topic.
"El Niño's impacts are being felt all across the U.S. this winter, including flooding across California," says Hubbard. "Several rounds of tropical moisture have been pushed into California over the past two weeks, causing destructive floods, landslides and damage to infrastructure. This pattern will continue into early spring but ease as we move into summer."
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Laura Albert on: Super Bowl LVIII
The Super Bowl is the most-watched television broadcast in the world. Experts from UW–Madison are available for interviews on sports analytics, sports gambling, traumatic brain injury and sports-related concussions.
Laura Albert, professor of industrial and systems engineering, is available for interviews about the much-discussed two-point conversation and sports analytics in general.
Sports gaming expert Jason Lopez is availble to talk about sports gambling, the Super Bowl's intersection with pop culture, its commercialism, and its status as a mega-event.
On the subject of traumatic brain injury and tackle football, Kinesiology professor Julie Stamm can discuss the consequences of repetitive head impacts and concussions in children through contact sports, concussion management, and CTE. Christian Franck, asociate professor of mechanical engineering, is available for interviews about traumatic brian injury, concussions and the mechanics of tissues and cells.
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Stephen Nakada on: Prostate health
King Charles III was recently released from the hospital following a procedure for an enlarged prostate, raising awareness about the issue of prostate health. Professor and chair of Urology at the School of Medicine and Public Health, Stephen Nakada, is available for interviews on the topic.
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Freya Mowat on: Dogs' video preferences could help assess their vision
Freya Mowat, a veterinary ophthamologist, recently published a study that provided insights into the kinds of videos dogs like to watch. But the study's goal was to figure out a way to better assess dog vision, not to turn man's best friend into a couch potato.
Mowat can discuss the current challenges involved in assessing vision in dogs, how videos could provide a solution and how dogs may be a helpful proxy to study changes in their owners' vision.
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Jon Pevehouse on: Tensions escalate between U.S. and Houthis
The U.S. has launched airstrikes in Yemen against Houthi bases, in response to Houthi attacks against vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis consider Israel an enemy and are suspected to be back by Iran. Jon Pevehouse, a professor of , political science and public affairs and an expert on American foreign policy, is available for interviews about the airstrikes and the escalation of tensions in the MIddle East.
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