Matt Shipman, News Services, (919) 515-6386
April 22, 2008
As the North Carolina primary and the general election draw closer, North Carolina State University's experts are prepared to shed light on a host of concerns related to the some of the pivotal issues in the campaign, particularly those that are likely to resonate with North Carolina voters.
NC State research and programs also offer compelling examples (and visuals) to accompany your coverage of some of the issues.
Below is a sampling of our experts and programs:
ECONOMY
The North Carolina economy is a mixture of old and new. Declines in former mainstays textiles, tobacco and furniture have been offset by gains in financial services, emerging industries such as biotechnology and more. How will voters respond to the economic messages and policies being touted by the presidential contenders in an environment marked by continued uncertainties about the nation's financial future and skyrocketing prices for gas and other consumer products?
Dr. Michael L. Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, is an expert on consumer economics, economic outlook, public policy and the economics of North Carolina. He directs the semiannual North Carolina Economic Outlook, and has a new book on the North Carolina economy coming out from UNC Press in September.
Dr. John Lapp, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Economics, is an authority on the Federal Reserve System and can address questions related to monetary policy and the implications of the recent sub-prime mortgage crisis.
Dr. Robert Clark, professor of economics, is a nationally recognized expert on Social Security and Medicare. Clark's research focuses on labor economics, the economics of aging, and pension and retirement policies.
IRAQ
North Carolina is home to some of the nation's largest military bases, with many troops serving multiple tours of duty. How will Obama and Clinton's calls for immediate withdrawal go over with North Carolina voters and voters across the country? How will people respond to McCain's appeal to be "build upon success" in Iraq?
Dr. William Boettcher, associate professor of political science, conducts research on U.S. foreign policy – with a specific interest in public opinion and the war in Iraq. Boettcher's work also addresses military strategy, counterinsurgency efforts and potential exit strategies for the conflict as well as how political and military leaders "frame" the war.
Dr. Michael Allen, assistant professor of history, is a historian of the United States who can address the military and political similarities between the war in Iraq and the Vietnam conflict. Allen's research concerns the Vietnam War and its continued influence on U.S. politics and foreign relations. He can also provide historical context for this Democratic primary and the upcoming general election.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
North Carolina is conducting leading research into alternative energy sources, some derived from dominant state crops including sweet potatoes and cotton. As concerns over climate change, the United States' dependence on foreign oil and ever-rising gasoline prices continue to grow, interviews with NC State researchers could help put into perspective the alternative energy strategies being put forward by the Democratic and Republican presidential contenders. Could a shift toward wind or solar power actually be part of a solution for the nation's economic woes? As food prices climb around the world, are biofuels still a viable alternative to gasoline?
Dr. Richard C. Kearney, director of the School of Public and International Affairs, is an authority on political science and public policy issues with a focus on environmental policy – including "green collar" jobs in the alternative energy sector and climate change.
Dr. Stephen Kelley, head of the Department of Wood and Paper Science, is a national expert on biofuels and alternative energy sources.
Dr. Christopher Frey, professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, is an expert in energy and the environment, including pollution control, emissions sources and systems analysis. His research includes measurement and modeling of real-world energy use and emissions of a wide variety of vehicles, as well as life cycle modeling of petroleum and biofuels.
Dr. Ayman Hawari, associate professor of nuclear engineering and director of the Nuclear Reactor Program, is an expert in nuclear-reactor design and the modeling of the behavior of advanced nuclear fuel in extreme radiation and temperature environments.
Dr. Alex Huang, the Progress Energy Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and director of the Semiconductor Power Electronics Center and the Advanced Transportation Energy Center, is an expert in power systems and power management. Huang is a lead researcher in the multidisciplinary, multi-university Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems group, which is working to develop an efficient power grid that will be able to handle the multiple sources of power that are currently being explored in the United States and around the world.
EDUCATION
No Child Left Behind conjures strong feelings among teachers, parents and students – but what can be done to maintain accountability and still resolve concerns that the program is actually hurting our nation's schools? Where do the candidates stand on education issues, and what are the biggest education challenges facing the next president?
Dr. Glenn Kleiman, executive director of NC State's Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, can address education policy and funding questions – including No Child Left Behind – as well as future education challenges that will be faced by the next White House administration.
Dr. Jeffery Braden, associate dean for research of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is an educational psychologist who studies the impact of the testing requirements associated with the No Child Left Behind legislation.
Dr. Jere Confrey, Joseph D. Moore Distinguished University Professor of Mathematics Education, is a national authority on science and math education who can address a host of education problems that the next presidential administration will have to address – including the need to develop new approaches to address low high school graduation rates; improve college readiness at the secondary-school level; develop more fair and valid math testing; and replace math and science teachers who are retiring or leaving the education field – especially in high-poverty settings.
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Dr. Craig A. Smith, professor of communication, is an expert in political campaign communication and the author of Political Communication (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1990) and the upcoming book Presidential Campaign Communication. Smith can explain how campaigns have used various formats to communicate their messages to the public. Smith can also answer questions on what people get out of debates, shortcomings of the debate process and how political commercials, debates and interviews provide different communication opportunities to the candidates.
Dr. Steven Greene, associate professor of political science, is an expert on campaigns, public opinion and the media. He also does research on how gender differences and parenthood affect voting behaviors.
Dr. Art Padilla, professor of management, entrepreneurship and innovation, is an authority on organizational leadership and management. He can address how the presidential candidates' leadership styles are perceived by various groups, and which leadership characteristics voters attribute to the different candidates. Padilla is the author of Portraits in Leadership (Praeger 2005) and has published widely on leadership issues, most recently on destructive leadership.
RELIGION
Candidates' views on religion always gain attention in the Bible Belt South, and this year is no exception.
Dr. Jason Bivins, associate head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, is an authority on the nexus of religion and politics in the United States since 1900. He can address questions related to the role that religion has played in the campaigns of Obama, McCain and Clinton, as well as potential stumbling blocks that be ahead for the candidates.
IMMIGRATION
Dr. Stephen Lilley, associate head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, can address how changing patterns of immigration impact local areas and regions. An associate professor of sociology, his research focuses on government planning, and state and local demography issues.
HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC POLICY
Dr. Andrew Taylor, chair of the Department of Political Science, is an authority on the White House, Congress and public policy who can address the healthcare plans of the presidential candidates. Taylor can discuss the policy stances of the two candidates on other issues as well, and his research examines what these positions may mean for a Clinton, Obama or McCain presidency.
SECURITY
Dr. Annie Anton, associate professor of computer science, is an expert on privacy including identity theft, homeland security, security breaches and legal compliance. Anton is the founder and director of ThePrivacyPlace.org, a multi-university academic research center. She serves on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee.
CHINA
Dr. J. Oliver Williams, professor of political science, is an expert on Chinese-U.S. relations, Chinese politics, human rights and how economic change is driving democratic development in China. He can also speak to the questions candidates will face on China as the general election moves forward. Williams was a Fulbright Research Scholar in China in 2006 and also led a United Nations consultative team that year to improve dialogue between U.N. human rights officials and the Chinese government.
CAMPUS SAFETY
David Rainer, associate vice chancellor for environmental health and safety, oversees campus safety and security issues. Rainer can address questions that presidential candidates will likely have to face on a number of campus safety issues.
NC State University News Services (919) 515-3470 or newstips@ncsu.edu