AU Newsmakers in the News 12.4-12.11, 2020

Top Stories

"Hate in the Homeland", a new book by Cynthia Miller-Idriss, director of the Polarization and Extremism Research Innovation Lab, was named to The Independent's list of December's biggest releases. The Economist also featured "Hate in the Homeland", as well as "Weaponized Words" by Assistant Professor of Communication Kurt Braddock, in a round-up of books studying the American far-right. (12/7, 12/12)

How to Make the Housing Market More Equitable

The Wall Street Journal spoke to Andre Perry, scholar-in-residence in the School of Education, about his new research on racial inequity in the housing market. Perry said, “What we found is homes in Black neighborhoods are underpriced by 23%, about $48,000 per home.” (12/8)

Faculty Authors

Foreign Policy is Biden's Best Bet for Bipartisan Action, Experts Say - But GOP is Unlikely to Join Him on Climate Change

Jordan Tama, associate professor in the School of International Service, co-wrote an article for The Conversation about a survey that identified foreign policy issues with potential for bipartisan cooperation. Tama and his co-authors wrote, “It found four foreign policy issues where Democrats and Republicans might come together.” (12/9)

Expertise

D.C. Sets Ambitious New Goals for Curbing Epidemic Over Next Decade

Nina Yamanis, associate professor in the School of International Service, spoke to The Washington Post about the District's ambitious plan to curb the spread of HIV. Yamanis said, “I think their ability to meet these goals is dependent on the consequences of the pandemic: how long is this going to last; are people going to be able to access health care in person?” (12/4)

'On Social Media, There Are Thousands': In Cuba, Internet Fuels Rare Protest

Professor of Public Affairs William LeoGrande spoke to The New York Times about Cuba's largest protest in decades. Prof. LeoGrade said, “It is this awakening of civil society, facilitated by the spread of the internet and social media, which is posing this challenge to the government.” (12/9)

Trump Reportedly Discussed Pardoning Himself & Family: What Presidential Pardon Power Does and Doesn't Do?

Assistant Professor in the School of Professional & Extended Studies Jeffrey Crouch spoke to PEOPLE magazine about presidential pardons. Crouch said, “No president has ever had the audacity to try a self-pardon, so we don't have any precedent for it.” Crouch discussed presidential pardons with The Hill, Five-Thirty-Eight, NBC LX, NPR, La Presse, The Buffalo News, and Newsweek. (12/8, 12/9)

Does the World Need a New Global Health Organization?

Distinguished Professor in the School of International Service Amitav Acharya spoke to Foreign Affairs magazine about the need for a global health organization. Acharya said, “What the world needs most is not a new institution but mandatory rules on early warning, transparency and fact-finding missions whereby the first infected country must allow, on the threat of sanctions, international inspectors immediately after an outbreak.” (12/8)

U.S. Millennials Were Grappling With the Inequality of a K-shaped Economy Long Before COVID-19

Gray Kimbrough, adjunct professor of public affairs, spoke to Quartz about the inequal economic recovery for millennials. Kimbrough said, “People born after 1980 have just experienced lower rates of economic growth in their early adult years than anybody had seen in the 20th century.” (12/7)

Carbon Offsets 'Do Almost Nothing': United Airlines Will Fund Plant to Clean the Air

Simon Nicholson, co-director of the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy at the School of International Service, spoke to Chicago Tribune about United Airlines' pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050 and its plan to invest in carbon capture technology. According to Nicholson, while “direct air capture technology likely will be needed to curb global emissions and United should get credit for investing in a promising technology,” questions remain about “the scope of its investment.” (12/10)

'Friends,' Fleetwood Mac, and the Viral Comfort of Nostalgia

Art Swift, adjunct professorial lecturer of communication, spoke to Wired about the comfort of nostalgia during the pandemic. Swift said, “Young people are nostalgic for something they have never encountered.” (12/8)

If Congress Doesn't Act by the End of the Year, What CARES Act Benefits Will End and When?

Caroline Bruckner, managing director of the Kogod Tax Policy Center, spoke to WUSA9 about the CARES Act benefits that will expire soon. (12/8)

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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