Top Stories
| How Students Balance Parenting with Grad School at Local Universities |
| The Washington Post spoke to Michael Keynes, associate dean of graduate studies, and current graduate students for a story about how universities support students who are balancing school and family responsibilities. Keynes mentioned the variety of degree programs as one way American University supports students. (4/9) |
| Award Hailing Compromise Endowed by David and Laura Skaggs Goes to Senators Alexander, Murray |
| The Daily Camera reported that U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) were named the inaugural recipients of the Madison Prize for Constitutional Excellence by American University School of Public Affairs. Endowed by former U.S. Representative David Skaggs and his wife Laura, in partnership with SPA, the prize recognizes lawmakers who work towards legislative compromise. The award was presented at a special event featuring a conversation between AU President Sylvia M. Burwell and Alexander. The story was picked up by the Reporter-Herald, Colorado Daily and World News Network. (4/10) |
Faculty Authors
| Nuclear Power Can Save the World |
| Joshua Goldstein, professor emeritus in the School of International Service, co-wrote an article for The New York Times about the benefits of nuclear energy. Goldstein and his co-authors wrote, “As the enormity of the climate crisis sinks in and the hoped-for carbon savings from renewables don't add up, nuclear can become the new green.” (4/6) |
| 'Not a Racist Bone in His Body': The Origins of the Default Defense Against Racism |
| Chris Petrella, director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships for the Antiracist Research and Policy Center, co-wrote an article for The Washington Post about a common defense against racism. Petrella and his co-author wrote, “When it comes to this now ubiquitous defense, all roads appear to lead back to Ronald Reagan's years in the Oval Office.” (4/11) |
| Sudan's New Ruler Is No Democrat - and He Has Darfur to Answer For |
| Washington College of Law Professor Rebecca Hamilton wrote an article for The Washington Post about Ibn Auf, the leader of the military government that has stepped into power in Sudan. Hamilton wrote, “[Auf's] is not a household name to Americans, but he is one of a handful of Sudanese sanctioned by the U.S. government for atrocities in Sudan's western Darfur region.” (4/11) |
| Migrants' Stories: Why They Flee |
| Anthony Fontes, assistant professor in the School of International Services, wrote an article for The Conversation about the circumstances that prompt migrants to flee their homes and seek asylum in the United States. Fontes wrote, “The region's extreme poverty and violent impunity are central factors driving this migration.” (4/9) |
| Brexit Is a Rejection of the Good Friday Agreement for Peace in Northern Ireland |
| Assistant Professor of Public Affairs Kimberly Cowell-Meyers and Carolyn Gallaher, associate dean for faculty affairs in the School of International Service, co-wrote an article for The Conversation about the “Good Friday Agreement.” They wrote, “When the U.K. eventually leaves the EU, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will require a border apparatus to check passports of visitors, track the origin and quality of goods, and collect appropriate taxes or customs.” (4/10) |
Expertise
| Can Jeff Bezos Make Money in Space? |
| Professor of Public Affairs Howard McCurdy spoke to The Wall Street Journal about Jeff Bezos's investment in a space company. McCurdy discussed how it's hard for entrepreneurial companies to resist the lure of federal funding, especially as they mature. McCurdy also spoke to Associated Press about Israel's failed lunar landing. The interview was featured in 362 outlets. (4/11) |
| US Looks for Options as Embattled Venezuelan Leader Hangs On |
| Michael McCarthy, research fellow in the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, spoke to Associated Press about the power struggle in Venezuela as a coalition of 54 nations tries to get Nicholas Maduro to step down. McCarthy said, “This struggle is going to require sustained pressure and optimism.” The story appeared in 186 outlets. (4/11) |
| Saying Goodbye to "Game of Thrones" |
| Russell Williams, professor of film in the School of Communication, spoke with CNN about the impact of “Game of Thrones.” Williams said, “What GOT has done in terms of putting this level of production on the screen has put everybody else on notice.” (4/12) |
| 63 Years After Landmark Brown v. Board Case, Segregated Classrooms Persist |
| School of Education Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy spoke to USA Today about the segregation that persists in American classrooms. Holcomb-McCoy said, “Unfortunately, there is segregation in schools based on disproportional opportunities afforded students.” The interview appeared in 45 USA Today affiliates. (4/7) |
| How Will Israel Election Results Affect U.S. Relationship? Many Palestinians See 'Trump vs. Trump' |
| Dan Arbell, scholar-in-residence at the Center for Israeli Studies, and Guy Ziv, assistant professor in the School of International Service, spoke to Newsweek about the impact of the Israeli elections. Arbell said Netanyahu's win “would be a continuation of the current policies, and most likely a more nationalisitic approach domestically and a tougher approach on issues relating to national security.” Ziv added, “What is more certain is that the U.S.-Israel relationship, traditionally strongly bipartisan, has become much more of a partisan issue in recent years- in part, due to Netanyahu's actions.” Arbell also appeared on CGTN to discuss the Israeli elections, while Ziv wrote an article about the election for The Conversation. (4/9, 4/10) |
| Joe Biden's Proudest Achievement Looks A Lot More Complicated in 2020 |
| Professor in the Washington College of Law Brenda Smith spoke to HuffPost about concerns that have been associated with the Violence Against Women Act. Smith said, “The legislation cut out a very significant group of women who had been underrepresented in the discourse.” (4/7) |
| Trump's Interior Secretary Pick Kept Lobying for Industry Client After Promising to Stop |
| James Thurber, distinguished professor of public affairs, spoke to Salon magazine about the conflict of interest and ethics violations associated with David Bernhardt, President Trump's nominee to head the Interior Department. Thurber said, “He was appointed and, in less than a one-year period, then he started advocating for what he had lobbied for. It's not a grey area.” (4/5) |
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