Featured Experts

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  Margaret Hankenson

  Political Science, College of General Studieshankenso@uwm.edu

  Hankenson can talk about the impact that debates can have on a U.S. presidential election.

  

  Margaret Hankenson

  Political Science, College of General Studieshankenso@uwm.edu

  Labor Day is considered the unofficial start of the home stretch of the presidential campaign, with the first of three debates between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden scheduled to take place on Sept. 29. Margaret Hankenson can discuss the impact that debates can have on a presidential election, and what to look out for from the candidates on the debate stage. Hankenson also can talk about what kind of influence that the debates may have in a race in which much of the campaigning has been conducted virtually because of the pandemic.

   

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  Tanya Joosten

  E-Learning Research and Development, Academic Affairstjoosten@uwm.edu

  Joosten can discuss the use of technology in learning, particularly in higher education.

  

  Tanya Joosten

  E-Learning Research and Development, Academic Affairstjoosten@uwm.edu

  Joosten is a communications technology scholar, focused on the use of technology in learning. She is co-director of the National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancements. Her writings and research have looked at the benefits and drawbacks of virtual vs. face-to-face learning, with particular interest in underrepresented and first-generation students. While her focus is on higher education, Joosten also is part of a national effort with the International Society for Technology in Education focusing K-12 schools.  Nationally recognized for her work, Joosten serves as an advisor on innovation projects to the Provost’s Office.

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  Timothy O’Brien

  Sociology, College of Letters & Scienceobrien34@uwm.edu

  O’Brien can speak about how public opinion of police and courts is affected by mass incarceration rates.

   

   

  

  Timothy O’Brien

  Sociology, College of Letters & Scienceobrien34@uwm.edu

  Protests around the country sparked by the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake have raised questions about public confidence in law enforcement and the legal system. Tim O’Brien has conducted research looking at how trends in mass incarceration rates affect public opinion in police and courts by race. He found that the increase in mass incarceration over several decades has eroded confidence in police and courts among Blacks but not among whites. O’Brien can discuss how the findings can help inform discussions about systemic change to address racial equity.

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  James Peoples

  Economics, College of Letters & Sciencepeoples@uwm.edu

  Peoples can provide perspective about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the airlines industry.

  

  James Peoples

  Economics, College of Letters & Sciencepeoples@uwm.edu

  The U.S. airlines industry faces an uncertain economic future given the dramatic reduction in travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. James Peoples, a professor of economics, can speak about the many issues facing the airlines, including the risk of more layoffs when a federal aid package expires on Oct. 1 and long-term implications of the economic fallout. Peoples can also talk about air travel in the Midwest and how Milwaukee International and other regional airports might be faring during the pandemic.