AU Newsmakers in the News 8.21-8.28, 2020

Top Story

AU Experts: Republican National Convention and 2020 Elections

This week, AU experts spoke to several news outlets about the Republican National Convention and the 2020 Election. Voice of America featured a panel discussion of AU experts. Molly O'Rourke, professor of communication, and Capri Cafaro, executive-in-residence in the School of Public Affairs, spoke to CBC News. Professor of Communication Jane Hall spoke to Scripps about the role women will play in determining the 2020 elections. Anita McBride, executive-in-residence in the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, spoke to The Washington Post and MSNBC about First Lady Melania Trump's RNC speech, and Amy Dacey, executive director of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics, spoke to USA Today about upcoming voting dates. Professor of History Anton Fedyashin spoke to CGTN's The Heat about what U.S. foreign policy would look like under a Biden presidency. (8/21, 8/22, 8/23, 8/24, 8/25, 8/26, 8/27)

Faculty Authors

Yes, New Zealand Is Confronting a New Coronavirus Outbreak. But It's Still Way Ahead of the U.S.

Washington College of Law Professor Rebecca Hamilton wrote an article for The Washington Post about New Zealand's coronavirus outbreak. Hamilton wrote, “New Zealand's response to the change its fortunes offers a case study in how a responsible government should react to the pandemic.” (8/25)

COVID-19's Threat of Death Keeps Masks and Other Preventative Measures From Being Used

Brenda Foster, adjunct instructor in the School of Communication, wrote an article for NBC News Think about how fear keeps people from using preventative measures. Foster wrote, “Associating health issues with death can make them seem uncontrollable, which discourages action to prevent them.” (8/22)

Expertise

Is It Safe to Send Kids to School or Daycare? Health Experts Weigh In

Director of the Public Health Scholars Program Melissa Hawkins spoke to CNN about reopening schools or daycares. Hawkins said, “In addition to comprehensive school plans, opening daycare and schools safely is contingent upon effectively controlling community transmission.” Hawkins also spoke to NBC4 about the effectiveness of U.V. lights against the coronavirus. (8/23, 8/21)

Like Millions, Conway Power Couple Struggle with Pandemic Parenting

Associate Professor of Public Affairs Taryn Morrissey spoke to AFP about Kellyanne Conway's decision to leave the White House to focus on her family. Morrissey said, “Conway's story is not unique, not unique in the broader history of women and work.” (8/24)

King III, Sharpton Appear on 'Inequality in America' Special Before 2020 March on Washington

Cathy Schneider, professor in the School of International Service, and Amanda Taylor, assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, appeared on NBC4's ‘Inequality in America' segment to discuss racial justice protests. Leonard Steinhorn, professor of communication, spoke to The Washington Post about how this year's march compares to the 1963 March on Washington. Sherri Williams, assistant professor of communication, provided live commentary for WUSA-9's live stream of the march. Williams also spoke with AFP about Cardi B. (8/27, 8/28)

American University Class Discusses the State of the 2020 Election

WUSA-9 featured a class taught by Leonard Steinhorn, professor of communication. The class, “Presidential Campaign 2020: Inside the Spin Room and the Newsroom” will provide students with the opportunity to anaylze this year's presidential campaign. (8/27)

U.S. Sports Boycott

Jeremi N. Duru, professor in the Washington College of Law, spoke to BBC News about black athletes that have boycotted their industries to express outrage over racial injustice in the U.S. Duru said, “What these athletes are doing is recognizing their value.” (8/27)

Cynthia Miller-Idriss on BBC World News

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, director of the Polarization and Extremism Research Innovation Lab, spoke with BBC World News about events in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the different groups that have come to Kenosha in addition to those protesting racial injustices. (8/27)

Prepared by University Communications

American University's faculty, staff, students and programs appear in regional, national and international print, online and broadcast media regularly. Each week, AU Newsmakers provides highlights of AU in the news. For prior weeks, go to: http://www.american.edu/media/inthemedia.cfm

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