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One week to go - Let's look at the role debates play in US Elections
US Presidential debates are a cornerstone of American democratic tradition, playing a critical role in shaping public perception and voter decision-making during election cycles. This topic is not only newsworthy because of its historical significance but also due to its influence on political discourse, media coverage, and the democratic process. The evolution of these debates reflects broader societal changes, technological advancements, and shifts in political strategy. Furthermore, presidential debates provide a platform for candidates to present their policies and personalities, thereby directly impacting election outcomes. Key story angles include: Historical Evolution of Presidential Debates: Exploring the origins, key moments, and changes in format and style of presidential debates from the Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960 to the present day. Impact on Voter Perception and Behavior: Analyzing how debates influence public opinion, voter turnout, and the overall electoral process. Media's Role in Shaping Debates: Investigating the role of media in organizing, broadcasting, and moderating debates, including the influence of television, social media, and real-time fact-checking. Debate Strategies and Candidate Performance: Examining how candidates prepare for debates, notable performances, gaffes, and their impact on campaign momentum. Civic Engagement and Public Discourse: Discussing the role of debates in promoting civic engagement, political education, and public discourse on key issues facing the nation. Technological Advancements and Future Trends: Exploring how technology has transformed debates, from live streaming and interactive features to virtual debates and the use of AI in analysis. These angles offer journalists a comprehensive framework to explore the historical significance and ongoing impact of US Presidential debates on American politics and society. Connect with an Expert about the history of Presidential Debates: Jingsi Christina Wu Associate Professor of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations · Hofstra University John Koch Senior Lecturer and Director of Debate · Vanderbilt University Kevin Wagner, Ph.D. Professor and Department Chair · Florida Atlantic University Juliana Fernandes Assistant Professor · University of Florida Sandra Pavelka, Ph.D. Expert in political science and justice · Florida Gulf Coast University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Library of Congress
Aston University researcher develops method of making lengthy privacy notices easier to understand
It has been estimated it would take 76 days per year to fully read privacy notices New method makes notices quicker and easier to understand by converting them into machine-readable formats Team designed a JavaScript Object Notation schema which allowed them to validate, annotate, and manipulate documents. An Aston University researcher has suggested a more human-friendly way of reading websites’ long-winded privacy notices. A team led by Dr Vitor Jesus has developed a system of making them quicker and easier to understand by converting them into machine-readable formats. This technique could allow the browser to guide the user through the document with recommendations or highlights of key points. Providing privacy information is one of the key requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data protection Act but trawling through them can be a tedious manual process. In 2012, The Atlantic magazine estimated it would take 76 days per year to diligently read privacy notices. Privacy notices let people know what is being done with their data, how it will be kept safe if it’s shared with anyone else and what will happen to it when it’s no longer needed. However, the documents are written in non-computer, often legal language, so in the paper Feasibility of Structured, Machine-Readable Privacy Notices Dr Jesus and his team explored the feasibility of representing privacy notices in a machine-readable format. Dr Jesus said: “The notices are essential to keep the public informed and data controllers accountable, however they inherit a pragmatism that was designed for different contexts such as software licences or to meet the - perhaps not always necessary - verbose completeness of a legal contract. “And there are further challenges concerning updates to notices, another requirement by law, and these are often communicated off-band e.g., by email if a user account exists.” Between August and September 2022, the team examined the privacy notices of 50 of the UK’s most popular websites, from globally organisation such as google.com to UK sites such as john-lewis.com. They covered a number of areas such as online services, news and fashion to be representative. The researchers manually identified the notices’ apparent structure and noted commonly-themed sections, then designed a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) schema which allowed them to validate, annotate, and manipulate documents. After identifying an overall potential structure, they revisited each notice to convert them into a format that was machine readable but didn’t compromise both legal compliance and the rights of individuals. Although there has been previous work to tackle the same problem, the Aston University team focused primarily on automating the policies rather than data collection and processing. Dr Jesus, who is based at the University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences said: “Our research paper offers a novel approach to the long-standing problem of the interface of humans and online privacy notices. “As literature and practice, and even art, for more than a decade have identified, privacy notices are nearly always ignored and ”accepted” with little thought, mostly because it is not practical nor user-friendly to depend on reading a long text simply to access, for example a news website. Nevertheless, privacy notices are a central element in our digital lives, often mandated by law, and with dire, often invisible, consequences.” The paper was published and won best paper at the International Conference on Behavioural and Social Computing, November 2023, now indexed at IEEE Xplore. The team are now examining if AI can be used to further speed up the process by providing recommendations to the user, based on past preferences.
Is Florida becoming more affordable for renters?
Between high interest rates, an influx of newcomers eager for housing and inflation taking a toll on the cost of almost everything - it's been an expensive year for anyone living in Florida. But it appears the tide might be finally turning on high costs and the price to rent a place in the Sunshine State might be going down. It's a trend that has media looking for answers and experts like Florida Atlantic's Ken Johnson getting calls to provide his insight, opinion and expertise on the topic. Florida Atlantic University recently released a new study showing that the state’s rental markets might be stabilizing. In the release, FAU officials announced that rents in areas like Palm Bay and Jacksonville have recently gone below their long-term pricing trends. Meanwhile, the data indicates that other major cities in the state — such as Cape Coral, Orlando and Deltona — saw only slight increases in rent prices, with price increases gradually slowing down. As such, it could be a sign that many renters statewide could soon see lower prices. “While these measures are small, they are a positive sign of where the rental market could be heading in the future,” said Dr. Ken Johnson, a real estate economist with FAU’s College of Business. “These Florida cities are renting at a discount compared to their historical averages, and others appear to be heading in that direction, suggesting that rental markets around the state are stabilizing.” June 06 - Click Orlando.com Florida may be an interesting case study on what lies ahead. Will these rental trends in Florida start to appear nationally? Who will best benefit from lower rents and what will it mean for the economy? Will lower rents attract more people to Florida and could that reverse this trend? There's a lot to know and understand about the rental market. And if you're a journalist covering the topic or looking to know more - then let us help. Ken H. Johnson, Ph.D., an economist and associate dean in FAU’s College of Business, is available to speak to the media. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview and time.
Juneteenth is tomorrow - our experts are here to help with your coverage
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks a pivotal moment in American history. This event is significant to the public as it highlights the ongoing journey towards equality and justice, reflecting on past struggles while inspiring current and future generations to continue the fight against systemic racism. Juneteenth provides numerous compelling story angles for journalists to explore: The historical significance of Juneteenth and its journey to becoming a federal holiday Personal stories and testimonies from descendants of those who were emancipated The role of Juneteenth in contemporary movements for racial justice and equality Cultural celebrations and traditions associated with Juneteenth across different communities The impact of education on understanding and commemorating Juneteenth in schools and universities Local and national initiatives aimed at addressing and rectifying racial disparities As we commemorate Juneteenth, journalists have an opportunity to delve into these rich and multifaceted narratives, highlighting the historical importance and contemporary relevance of this significant event in American history. Connect with an Expert about the History of Juneteenth: Amilcar Shabazz Professor of History and Africana Studies, W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies · University of Massachusetts Amherst Dexter Gabriel, Ph.D. Associate Professor of History · University of Connecticut Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D. Professor · Baylor University Tracy Sharpley-Whiting Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies · Vanderbilt University Jessica Millward Associate Professor of History and African American Studies · UC Irvine To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Tasha Jolley
The anniversary of the Watergate arrests marks a pivotal moment in American political history, symbolizing the enduring importance of accountability, transparency, and the role of the media in a democratic society. This event matters to the public because it highlights the critical function of investigative journalism and its impact on government oversight. The Watergate scandal fundamentally transformed American politics and media, providing numerous compelling story angles for journalists to explore: The role of investigative journalism in uncovering the Watergate scandal The impact of Watergate on American political culture and public trust in government Personal accounts from journalists, political figures, and historians who lived through the era The evolution of political scandals and their handling in the media since Watergate The influence of Watergate on contemporary issues of government transparency and accountability Educational initiatives and resources for teaching the significance of Watergate to new generations As we commemorate the anniversary of the Watergate arrests, journalists have an opportunity to delve into these multifaceted narratives, shedding light on the historical significance and lasting impact of this monumental event in American history. Connect with an Expert about the history of Watergate: Stephen Griffin W.R. Irby Chair and Rutledge C. Clement Jr. Professor in Constitutional Law · Tulane University Thomas Schwartz Distinguished Professor of History · Vanderbilt University Michael A. Genovese Professor of Political Science and International Relations · Loyola Marymount University Jim Riddlesperger Professor · Texas Christian University Walter Isaacson University Professor · Tulane University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Library of Congress
Researchers find ‘narrow’ depictions of fatherhood in children’s literature
When children read picture books, they are often greeted with depictions of family and life lessons their young minds soak up. What happens then, when those depictions don’t offer a thoughtful image of gender or family as they have changed over the years? That is one of the questions University of Delaware Professor Bill Lewis and Social Science Research Analyst and UD alumna Laura Cutler explored in their recent paper, published in the quarterly journal Children's Literature in Education. In “Portraits of Fatherhood: Depictions of Fathers and Father–Child Relationships in Award-Winning Children’s Literature,” Lewis and Cutler looked at more than 80 children’s books to analyze how authors and publishers depicted fathers and fatherhood. What they found was that over a span of nearly 20 years, from 2001 to 2020, these books presented "a narrow view of fatherhood," both in what roles fathers have in familial units and which types of fathers are presented. They also noted that these portrayals have remained relatively static over the last two decades. Lewis, a professor in the College of Education and Human Development’s School of Education, broke down what spurred the research and what he and Cutler hope changes as a result of the research in a new Q&A. Contact mediarelations@udel.edu to set up an interview with Lewis.
Saturday is World Martini Day - let our experts explain the history of cocktails
The history of cocktails is a fascinating journey through time, reflecting cultural, social, and culinary evolution. This topic matters to the public as it encapsulates the artistry and innovation in mixology, the social rituals associated with drinking, and the broader historical contexts that shaped our favorite drinks. Exploring the history of cocktails offers numerous intriguing story angles for journalists to delve into, appealing to a wide audience: The origins of classic cocktails and their evolution over time The cultural and social significance of cocktails in different eras, from Prohibition to the present day The influence of global ingredients and international traditions on cocktail recipes Profiles of iconic bartenders and mixologists who have shaped the cocktail industry The rise of craft cocktails and the modern mixology movement The role of cocktails in popular culture, including literature, film, and music As we explore the rich history of cocktails, journalists have the opportunity to uncover the stories behind beloved drinks, the people who created them, and the cultural trends that continue to influence the world of mixology today. Connect with an Expert about the history of cocktails: Geoffrey Kleinman Editor · DrinkSpirits.com Howard (Shih-Ming) Hu Professor of Hotel, Resort, Hospitality Management · Southern Utah University Sheryl F. Kline Professor, Hospitality · University of Delaware Krystyn Moon Professor · University of Mary Washington To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Patrick Schöpflin
Need to know more about the importance of Miranda Rights? Our experts are here to help
The anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona, which established the Miranda Rights, is a pivotal moment in American legal history. This ruling, which ensures that individuals are informed of their rights during an arrest, has profound implications for the criminal justice system, civil liberties, and police procedures. The importance of Miranda Rights remains a relevant and critical topic, especially in discussions about law enforcement practices and legal protections. Understanding the impact of this decision helps to illuminate broader issues of justice and rights in the United States. Key story angles include: Historical Context and Significance: Exploring the background of the Miranda v. Arizona case, its significance at the time, and its long-term effects on the criminal justice system. Impact on Law Enforcement: Analyzing how the Miranda ruling has changed police procedures, training, and accountability measures. Civil Liberties and Legal Protections: Investigating the role of Miranda Rights in protecting individual freedoms and ensuring fair treatment under the law. Contemporary Legal Challenges: Discussing ongoing legal debates and challenges related to Miranda Rights, including Supreme Court interpretations and potential reforms. Public Awareness and Education: Examining efforts to educate the public about their rights during interactions with law enforcement and the importance of knowing one's rights. Personal Stories and Case Studies: Sharing stories of individuals whose cases were affected by Miranda Rights, highlighting the human impact of this legal protection. These angles provide journalists with a comprehensive framework to explore the historical significance and enduring impact of Miranda Rights on the American legal landscape. Connect with an Expert about the importance of Miranda Rights: Christopher Smith Professor of Criminal Justice · Michigan State University Patricia Wilson, J.D. Associate Dean & Professor of Law · Baylor Law School Stephen Griffin W.R. Irby Chair and Rutledge C. Clement Jr. Professor in Constitutional Law · Tulane University Julian Ku Professor of Law and Interim Dean · Hofstra University Ganesh Sitaraman New York Alumni Chancellor's Chair in Law · Vanderbilt University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo credit: Claire Anderson
Professors address students' climate anxiety
Professors at the University of Delaware preparing students for careers working on climate change are making sure to consider mental health issues as they send them out into the world. UD's Climate Change Science and Policy Hub, led by director A.R. Siders, is starting a series of initiatives – on campus and in the region – to tackle the challenge of what is known as climate anxiety. This involves traditional trainings but also innovations with creativity, art, video games and play. "Learning about and working on climate change causes climate anxiety, ecogrief, solastalgia – there’s a whole new set of terms being created just to describe the problem," said Siders, also an associate professor in UD's Disaster Research Center and Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. "This is a real mental health concern." This new way of approaching climate education has become even more critical as universities expand climate education – such as new climate schools, degrees, courses and even embedding it in general education courses, Siders said. The U.S. government is supporting a growing climate workforce, and it is expected that more people will work in climate-related careers. To reach Siders and set up an interview, visit her profile and click on the "contact" link. This will automatically send an email directly to her.
Recent Expert Placement: GOP-Led LI Towns Challenge Moving Elections to Even-Numbered Years
Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, spoke to Newsday about five GOP-led towns in Nassau and Suffolk that are challenging a new state law to move most local elections to even-numbered years. Levy called the law “a mixed bag” for political parties and candidates. He said the candidate at the top of the ticket could impact many of the results. “There is the risk that local issues will be drowned out … but it’s also an opportunity for a lot of people, who never bothered to pay attention to local races, to maybe do so if they don’t want to click a lever for just any old person without knowing something,” he said. Lawrence Levy is the Executive Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University. He's available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
