Experts Matter. Find Yours.
Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities & more.
School of Optometry ophthalmic equipment will furnish three polyclinics – presented by Canon Medical for the duration of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Aston University clinical and academic staff volunteers are part of a team running the clinics The polyclinics presented by Canon Medical are due to open to athletes on 22 July. Aston University optometrists and dispensing opticians from its School of Optometry have been preparing various pieces of ophthalmic equipment needed to furnish three eye health polyclinics presented by Canon Medical at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The polyclinics presented by Canon Medical will be hosted at the Birmingham 2022 villages at the University of Warwick & University of Birmingham. The equipment, which is on loan from the School of Optometry, includes slit lamps, ophthalmoscopes, visual field screeners and tonometers. It was loaded up on Saturday 16July and Monday 18 July and was then transported to the three sites in preparation for the opening of the service on 22 July. Athletes and the wider Birmingham 2022 community will be able to access emergency eye care at the clinics. Athletes who need emergency access to glasses and contact lenses will also be able to get them from the polyclinics. The service is being run by volunteers who have had role-specific training provided by the Games medical team. Aston University’s volunteers are academic and clinical staff from the School of Optometry. Leon Davies, professor of optometry & physiological optics at Aston University, has led the clinic set up and is also a polyclinic volunteer. He said: “It is an honour to support the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games through loaning our ophthalmic equipment, and I am proud of my colleagues who have volunteered to help run the clinics. “We are excited to provide athletes’ eye care whilst they are here in Birmingham. We appreciate some may have travelled long distances so on arrival might need to seek advice regarding a range of eye health issues. This could include anything from dry eye (due to a long flight), seasonal problems affecting eye health, or an issue with their spectacles or contact lenses.” The polyclinics presented by Canon Medical will be open every day from 7am – 11pm from 22 July to the end of the Games on 10 August. For more information about the School of Optometry including our research and courses, please visit our website.
Need a deeper understanding of retirement living? Let our experts help with your questions.
There's much consider when looking to make the monumental step toward retirement living. There's an entire industry out there devoted to the topic, with a multitude of options to consider. Considering the costs, your budget, future healthcare needs, and contract types, choosing a retirement community can be overwhelming. CARF can help you, or members of your family, navigate the system. Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or Life Plan Communities (CCRCs), present a number of contract offerings to consider as well. CARF's recently updated flagship publication, the Consumer Guide to Life Plan Communities: Quality and Financial Viability, offers tools and resources to guide you through decision-making process for yourself or a loved one. Take the time to review the options available to find out what is best for your specific situation or lifestyle. Below you can find a link to a list of CARF-accredited CCRCs, as well as our guide to selecting an assisting living program. If you're a reporter or researcher looking to know more, then let our experts help with your questions or coverage. Terrence Carolan is the Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services at CARF International. To arrange a time to chat with or interview Terrence, simply click on his icon now and book some time today.
What does back to school look like this year? Augusta University expert talks challenges
Students will be back at the bus stop with school starting soon, but what can parents expect as their children return to the classroom after the effects of the pandemic years? Dr. Stacie Pettit, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development at Augusta University, said not being in the classroom full-time has had an impact. Pettit said it’s documented that reading scores are down and many students were unaccounted for during at-home learning. But students also developed other skills during this period of time. “On one hand, you can’t completely make up for learning loss,” said Pettit. “Teachers just need to assess where students are and both students and teachers do the best you can from this point. On the other hand, students didn’t just stop learning altogether. There are important life and family skills that were gained during quarantine and the months after. I believe we should look at students from 'funds of knowledge' perspective rather than a deficit lens in order to recognize the cultural resources that a student’s household contains.” She added some students did become isolated and will need to relearn social skills, but many found a lively community online through social media during the pandemic. Pettit also pointed out students are resilient, as well as teachers. They didn’t stop teaching, but rather found new skills in instruction to make learning accessible in the new reality. There are some challenges going back to in-person instruction after the last couple of years. “Overcoming fear they’ve picked up through other people and the news,” she added. “”Feeling uncomfortable with their faces exposed after getting used to hiding behind a mask and dealing with germ phobia. Students also have the additional challenge of another recent school shooting in Uvalde, so not only are they getting used to being back in school full-time, but they also have safety concerns.” Pettit added there are still a few groups of students who could struggle being back in the classroom full-time. “Certainly kids who missed kindergarten. Students from foster care. Students in special education who didn’t have the support they needed during at home learning.” If you're a journalist covering education or are looking to line up your back-to-school stories this year, then let us help. Pettit is a respected leader in middle level teacher education and meeting the needs of marginalized young adolescents. She's available to speak with media - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Assessing and Treating Heat-Related Illness in Children
Dangerously high global temperatures require an abundance of caution and preparation, especially when it comes to protecting the littlest members of society. Villanova University associate professor of nursing Michelle Kelly, PhD, CRNP, CNE, is an expert in pediatric healthcare, and she recently shared some tips for preventing and treating heat-related illness in children. Q: First, what is heat exhaustion? Dr. Kelly: Heat exhaustion is a slowly progressing condition that begins as one is exposed to increased temperatures for extended periods of time without the proper precautions. Ultimately, heat exhaustion can become heatstroke, which always requires immediate intervention. Q: What are the signs of heat exhaustion? DK: Signs of heat exhaustion include increased thirst, nausea, vomiting, irritability, headache, increased sweating, fainting, weakness, extreme tiredness and muscle cramps. The child will have cool and clammy feeling skin, with an elevated body temperature, but it will be below 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius). Q: When does heat exhaustion become heatstroke? DK: With heatstroke, the above symptoms progress to severe headache, weakness, dizziness, confusion, fast breathing and increased heart rate. The child will feel flushed—hot, with dry skin, little to no sweating—and may pass out or have a seizure, due to the body temperature exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This child needs immediate intervention aimed at decreasing the child’s body temperature. Q: What should caregivers do when a child experiences heat-related illness? DK: Interventions that a family can begin while getting the child emergency treatment include getting the child to lie down with feet elevated indoors or in shade. Remove excess clothing. Apply lukewarm water to the skin either with a wet cloth or spray bottle. If the child is awake, give sips of cool clear fluids. If the child is vomiting, keep the child on their side to prevent choking. Emergency treatment will include continuing to decrease the child’s body temperature, giving fluids (by mouth or with intravenous fluids), and monitoring for seizures. Q: Any tips for prevention? DK: Plan ahead if you and your children will be outside during this extreme heat. Wear light colors and plan for some sort of shade if possible. Try to arrange outdoor activities to take place in the early morning or evening, not during the heat of the day. Or better yet, spend time in a pool or indoors in air conditioning. If your child will be participating in sports during a heatwave, start hydrating 24 hours before to prevent the risk of dehydration. This means making sure they have had adequate fluids before competing, during the competition and afterward to recover. Water is the best liquid, but an alternative would be low-sugar-containing electrolyte solutions designed for children (such as Pedialyte). Stay safe!
Expert Sources for Federal Reserve interest rate increase: UCI faculty members available to comment
On June 15, the Federal Reserve announced its largest interest rate hike in 28 years to try to regain control over elevated consumer prices. The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point – the biggest increase since 1994 – following a quarter-point jump in March and a half-point increase in May. “We’re strongly committed to bringing inflation back down and we’re moving expeditiously to do so,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Eric Swanson – professor of economics. Swanson’s research focuses on monetary policy, interest rates and the effects on economy, including output, unemployment and inflation. Swanson previously worked at the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco from 1998-2014 as an economist and research advisor. Email: eric.swanson@uci.edu Aaron James – professor of philosophy. James co-authored the book Money from Nothing: Or, Why We Should Stop Worrying About Debt and Learn to Love the Federal Reserve, which explains the nature of money and a number of alternatives the Federal Reserve can legally employ to curb inflation other than increasing interest rates. Email: aaron.james@uci.edu Jack Liebersohn – assistant professor of economics. Liebersohn’s research focuses on banking, banking risk taking, mortgages and the housing market and he can speak to how increasing the Federal Reserve interest rate affects any of those elements of the economy. Email: cjlieber@uci.edu Christopher Schwarz – associate professor of finance and faculty director of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management. Schwarz can discuss how far the Federal Reserve will have to go and its impact on the economy and financial markets moving forward. Email: cschwarz@uci.edu Media Contact: Cara Capuano, Communications Officer, UCI | 949-501-9192 | ccapuano@uci.edu
Are You an Expert? Here’s How to Tell
Have you ever wondered whether or not you are an expert? When asked this question about what defines expertise, you will hear a variety of answers. Many will reference key requirements such as an expert must have extensive knowledge in their field. Others will see education, published work, or years of experience as key qualifiers. Yet there are so many other dimensions of expertise that contribute to how visible, influential and authoritative they are within their community of practice or with the general public. Who Qualifies as an Expert? I started looking closer at this topic for two reasons. The first is my personal work with experts. Having worked with thousands of them across a variety of sectors I've observed that many are driven to develop themselves professionally as an expert to meet a variety of objectives. Often these are focused on raising one's profile and reputation among peers or with the broader market to inform the public. Some see media coverage being an essential part of their strategy while others are more interested in developing a larger audience for their research or client work, by speaking at conferences or on podcasts. Others have a focus on improving their PageRank on search engines. All these activities can enable important objectives such as attracting new clients, research funding or talent. The second reason for this deeper dive into expertise is a need to better organize how we look at experts within organizations. My work with communications departments in knowledge-based sectors reveals that they are keen to learn more about how they can better engage their experts to build reputation, relationships and revenue. However, better engagement starts with a better understanding of what qualifies someone as an expert - what attributes can we objectively look at that define expertise? With that knowledge, we can first better appreciate the amount of work experts have put into establishing themselves in their field. Then organizations can nurture this expertise in a more collaborative way to accomplish shared goals. My observation is that with a little more insight, empathy, and alignment, both experts and their organizations can accomplish incredible things together. And there has never been a more important time for experts to "show their smarts." By definition, an expert is someone with comprehensive or authoritative knowledge in a particular area of study. While formal education and certifications are a starting point for expertise, many disciplines don’t have a set list of criteria to measure expertise against. It’s also important to recognize other dimensions of expertise that relate not just to the working proficiency in a field but also to the degree of influence and authority they have earned within their profession or community of practice. Because of this, expertise is often looked at as a person’s cumulative training, skills, research and experience. What are the Key Attributes of Expertise? In evaluating your accomplishments and the various ways you can contribute as an expert to both your community of practice and the public, here are some key questions that can help you assess how you are developing your expertise: Have you completed any formal education or gained relevant experience to achieve proficiency in your chosen field? Are you actively building knowledge in a specific discipline or practice area by providing your services as an expert? Are you generating unique insights through your research or fieldwork? Are you publishing your work to establish your reputation and reach a broader audience such as publications or books? Are you teaching in the classroom or educating and inspiring audiences through speaking at conferences? Do you demonstrate a commitment to impact your community of practice and help advance your field and generate an impact on society by informing the public? Have you established a reputation as a go-to source for well-informed, unique perspectives? Some Additional Tips to Help you Develop Your Expertise To further the discussion, I’ve also shared further thoughts about the meaning of “expertise”. As you think about developing your own personal skills, or if you are a communicator who is responsible for engaging with your organizations experts, here are a few additional principles to keep in mind. Experts Aren't Focused on Some“Magic Number” Related to Hours of Experience Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers” (2008), outlined the now famous “10,000-hour rule” as the magic number of greatness for the time it takes to master a given field. As the rule goes, you could become a genuine expert in a field with approximately 10,000 hours of practice — roughly 3 hours a day, every day for a consecutive decade. But is that what it really takes to become an expert? But is that what it really takes to become an expert? Or did Gladwell oversimplify the concept of expertise? Some of his assumptions for “Outliers” (which became a major bestseller) relied on research from Dr. Anders Ericsson at Florida State University who made expertise the focus of his research career. Contrary to how Gladwell outlined it, Ericsson argued that the way a person practised mattered just as much, if not more, than the amount of time they committed to their discipline. It also depends on the field of research or practice one is involved in. Some disciplines take decades to achieve expertise and many experts will admit they are just scratching the surface of what they are studying, well after they have passed the 10,000-hour mark. That might be just the first stage of proficiency for some disciplines. Experts are Continuously Learning It’s difficult to claim proficiency as an expert if you are not staying current in your field. The best experts are constantly scouring new research and best practices. Dr. Anders Ericsson observed in his work that "deliberate practice" is an essential element of expertise. His reasoning was that one simply won’t progress as an expert unless they push their limits. Many experts aren’t satisfied unless they are going beyond their comfort zone, opening up new pathways of research, focusing on their weaknesses, and broadening their knowledge and skills through avenues such as peer review, speaking, and teaching. The deliberate practice occurred “at the edge of one’s comfort zone” and involved setting specific goals, focusing on technique, and obtaining immediate feedback from a teacher or mentor. Experts Apply their Knowledge to Share Unique Perspectives While many experts conduct research, simply reciting facts isn't enough. Those who can provide evidence-based perspectives, that objectively accommodate and adapt to new information will have more impact. Expertise is also about developing unique, informed perspectives that challenge the status quo, which can at times be controversial. Experts know that things change. But they don’t get caught up in every small detail in ways that prevent them from seeing the whole picture. They don't immediately rush toward new ideas. They consider historical perspectives and patterns learned from their research that provide more context for what's happening today. And these experts have the patience and wisdom to validate their perspectives with real evidence. That's why expert sources are so valuable for journalists when they research stories. The perspectives they offer are critical to countering the misinformation and uninformed opinions found on social media. Experts Connect with a Broader Audience Many experts are pushing past traditional communication formats, using more creative and visual ways to translate their research into a wider audience. We conducted research with academics in North America and in Europe who are trying to balance their research (seen in traditional peer-reviewed journals) with other work such as blogs, social media, podcasts and conferences such as TEDx - all with the goal to bring their work to a wider audience. While that's an essential part of public service, it pays dividends for the expert and the organization they represent. Experts Are Transparent More than ever, credible experts are in demand. The reason for this is simple. They inspire trust. And the overnight success some have seemingly achieved has come from decades of work in the trenches. They have a proven record that is on display and they make it easy to understand how they got there. They don't mask their credentials or their affiliations as they didn't take shortcuts. They understand that transparency is a critical part of being seen as credible. Experts Don’t Take “Fake It Till You Make It” Shortcuts The phrase “fake it till you make it,” is a personal development mantra that speaks to how one can imitate confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset, and realize those qualities in real life. While this pop psychology construct can be helpful for inspiring personal development, it gets problematic when it becomes a strategy for garnering trust with a broader audience to establish some degree of authority - especially when this inexperience causes harm to others who may be influenced by what they see. When self-appointed experts take shortcuts, promoting themselves as authorities on social media without the requisite research or experience, this blurs the lines of expertise and erodes the public trust. Experts Are Generous The best experts are excited about the future of their field, and that translates to helping others become experts too. That's why many openly share their valuable time, through speaking, teaching and mentorship. In the end, they understand that these activities are essential to developing the scale and momentum necessary to tackle the important issues of the day. How Do You Show your Smarts? How do you personally score on this framework? Or if you are in a corporate communications or academic affairs role in an institution how does this help you better understand your experts so you can better develop your internal talent and build your organization’s reputation? As always we welcome your comments as we further refine this and other models related to expertise. Let us know what you think. Helpful Resources Download our Academic Experts and the Media (PDF) This report, based on detailed interviews with some of the most media-experienced academics across the UK and United States draws on their experiences to identify lessons they can share in encouraging other academics to follow in their path. Download the UK Report Here Download the US Report Here The Complete Guide to Expertise Marketing for Higher Education (PDF) Expertise Marketing is the next evolution of content marketing. Build value by mobilizing the hidden people, knowledge and content you already have at your fingertips. This win-win solution not only gives audiences better quality content, but it also lets higher ed organizations show off their smarts. Download Your Copy
Critical Infrastructure in the UK & a Fragile Climate
Listen below to Dr Kiran Tota-Maharaj, from the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University, talking on 630 CHED in Canada about the UK's infrastructure in the scorching heat. Dr Tota-Maharaj has also written in The Conversation about why Britain isn’t built to withstand 40°C – and where infrastructure is most likely to fail. If you wish to talk to Dr Tota-Maharaj, or any of Aston University's experts, you can email PR@aston.ac.uk
Well before the uncertainty of the pandemic, Orion Travel Insurance, a CAA company, decided to change the way travellers access travel insurance online. Working with a team of anthropologists, the goal of the redesign was to better understand how humans think about travel and safety. Researchers scoured opinions online, analyzed media and sat down with travellers to document their feelings around travel. “The traditional way of building an online quoting system just wasn’t sufficient,” says Kellee Irwin, VP, Orion Travel Insurance Company. “We didn’t feel that the online experience was putting the needs of the traveller first, so we turned it on its head and approached things differently. We are confident that this new approach to accessing travel insurance and information about travel insurance online is going to be an industry game-changer.” Traditionally, online quoting systems for travel insurance have been designed with business needs at the forefront, rather than designed to reflect what customers need to confidently purchase the appropriate protection. “As a company founded to deliver the protection that our members deserve, this antiquated way of doing things wasn’t good enough. Our mission was to create an online buying experience that was inspired by what it’s like when a traveller engages with a CAA Associate at a store,” adds Irwin. The end result of this in-depth work is the launch of a reinvented online travel quote and purchase system that makes learning about and buying travel insurance an easy and seamless experience for travellers. "Our research told us that travellers want to feel like 'their own best expert'. This new online experience enables travellers to explore and learn about the different types of travel insurance and compare the cost of various levels of protection all at their fingertips," says Irwin. The new system helps customers clearly understand the protection they are viewing and why qualifying questions are being asked. No longer will customers be forced to click through a series of prompts, only to discover that their selections do not reflect their needs and they must start all over again. As they explore coverage and learn more about what protection is right for them, travellers can get to a price in just seven clicks. Plus, they can alter their choices and the system will give updated quotes in real time. It also allows customers to use our SMART FAQ search engine in which the customer enters a question and immediately receives a matched answer. The new online buy flow is now in effect, click here to experience Orion’s reimagined online travel insurance system.
The University of Florida aims to bring a scientist to every Florida school
By Emma Richards It was the encouraging support of his 10th grade earth science teacher that led Bruce MacFadden to pursue his dream of becoming a scientist. Now an accomplished paleontologist, MacFadden is paying it forward as director of the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute and its “Scientist in Every Florida School” program. The program connects more than 700 scientists to K-12 classrooms in 42 counties throughout the state, providing students and teachers alike with up-to-date science lessons that both inform and, hopefully, inspire future scientists. Teachers use the program’s online application portal to request a visit by a scientist to teach a specific concept. Teachers are then matched with a scientist with that expertise, who delivers the requested lesson in person or virtually. Participating scientists are vetted to ensure they can communicate clearly with audiences of varying education levels. The program benefits students, teachers and scientists, MacFadden said. Students get to see the amazing things scientists do. Teachers receive timely knowledge and professional development. And scientists get to give back to society and gain confidence in their ability to share research, even with the youngest students. “We want to let young people know that if they want to be a scientist and apply themselves, they can also be a scientist,” MacFadden said. “It’s a synergy between the scientists and the teacher,” he said in an interview on the From Florida podcast. “We do not have prescribed, off-the-shelf lesson plans, but instead we typically talk with the teacher and say, ‘What would you like to do?’” It is the only program that currently works throughout the state to deliver high-quality STEM instruction to teachers and students, particularly in public Title 1 schools. “We want to make sure that there’s a level playing field with the understanding and teaching about STEM in a larger context,” he said. “But for me, it’s more about earth system science so that all teachers and students can benefit from what we know about current research in this field.” Outreach conducted through the Thompson Earth Systems Institute focuses on those systems — the interaction of air, water, land and life, and human impacts. Another important aspect of the “Scientist in Every Florida School” program is showcasing what a 21-st century career in science can look like for people from a variety of different backgrounds and interests. MacFadden said graduate students serve as role models in their visits to schools. “We want to let young people know that if they want to be a scientist and apply themselves, they can also be a scientist,” MacFadden said. The program aims to get a scientist into every public school in Florida at least once. With more than 4,000 public schools in the state, the scientists have a lot of stops to make — though virtual visits have helped them reach distantly located schools. MacFadden said once the team accomplishes that feat, they’ll focus on expanding outreach to other states. “Right now, I’m totally focused on making a difference in Florida’s public education,” he said. To learn more about the Scientist in Every Florida School program, listen to the full episode on From Florida at this link. Listen to other episodes of the From Florida podcast here. To learn more about the Thompson Earth Systems Institute, visit this link.
Could eating fruit more often keep depression at bay? New research
Study found frequent fruit eaters had greater positive mental wellbeing The study surveyed 428 adults and looked at the relationship between their consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweet and savoury food snacks and their psychological health The more often people ate fruit, the lower they scored for depression and the higher for mental wellbeing. People who frequently eat fruit are more likely to report greater positive mental wellbeing and are less likely to report symptoms of depression than those who do not, according to new research from the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University. The researchers’ findings suggest that how often we eat fruit is more important to our psychological health than the total amount we consume during a typical week. The team also found that people who eat savoury snacks such as crisps, which are low in nutrients, are more likely to report greater levels of anxiety. Published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the study surveyed 428 adults from across the UK and looked at the relationship between their consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweet and savoury food snacks, and their psychological health. After taking demographic and lifestyle factors such as age, general health and exercise into account, the research found that both nutrient-rich fruit and nutrient-poor savoury snacks appeared to be linked to psychological health. They also found that there was no direct association between eating vegetables and psychological health. Based on the survey, the more often people ate fruit, the lower they scored for depression and the higher for mental wellbeing, independent of the overall quantity of fruit intake. People who frequently snacked on nutrient-poor savoury foods (such as crisps) were more likely to experience ‘everyday mental lapses’ (known as subjective cognitive failures) and report lower mental wellbeing. A greater number of lapses, was associated with higher reported symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression, and lower mental wellbeing scores. By contrast, there was no link between these everyday memory lapses and fruit and vegetable intake or sweet snacks, suggesting a unique relationship between these nutrient-poor savoury snacks, everyday mental lapses, and psychological health. Examples of these frustrating little everyday mental lapses included forgetting where items had been placed, forgetting the purpose of going into certain rooms, and being unable to retrieve names of acquaintances whose name was on the ‘tip of the tongue’. Lead author, PhD student Nicola-Jayne Tuck commented: “Very little is known about how diet may affect mental health and wellbeing, and while we did not directly examine causality here, our findings could suggest that frequently snacking on nutrient-poor savoury foods may increase everyday mental lapses, which in turn reduces psychological health. “Other studies have found an association between fruit and vegetables and mental health, but few have looked at fruit and vegetables separately – and even fewer evaluate both frequency and quantity of intake. “Both fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, fibre and essential micronutrients which promote optimal brain function, but these nutrients can be lost during cooking. As we are more likely to eat fruit raw, this could potentially explain its stronger influence on our psychological health. “It is possible that changing what we snack on could be a really simple and easy way to improve our mental wellbeing. Conversely, it is also possible that the forthcoming restriction of processed snack foods at checkouts, due to come in this October, could not only improve the country’s physical health, but mental health too. “Overall, it’s definitely worth trying to get into the habit of reaching for the fruit bowl.” For more information about the School of Psychology, please visit our website.