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Part 2: How Duke University doubled their media hits by showcasing faculty
Last week we shared the first five major rules of Expert Marketing that are currently being used by Duke University to double their media hits (READ PART I). We also developed some strategies and best practices for higher education institutions to better market their experts. In this blog post, we are going to share our team’s final insights into how to better leverage your experts. Rule #6: Create Once, Publish Everywhere At one time we just had to focus on creating a news site. That’s now expanded to a multi- screen environment that requires we thread content into sites that are being accessed from desktops, mobile devices and even digital signage that is often scattered throughout the campus. Sit down with your digital team and map out how to distribute media across multiple channels such as social networks, news-feeds, homepages, faculty sites, as well as faculty profiles in your expert center or speakers bureau. Many schools still don’t have the “responsive” capability to push their news content out to mobile users. Insiders Tip: Duke applies a “create once publish everywhere” model to ensure that time-crunched journalists can easily connect with their expert commentary, whether they access the website’s desktop or mobile versions, or through a wide range of social channels. Rule #7: Get Your Expert Quotes Ready for the Real-Time News Cycle Organizing a system with your faculty to publish pre-approved expert quotes on your website can pay huge dividends, as news outlets have fewer reporters covering more territory. Many of our clients tell us they are seeing less experienced reporters who have much less time to research and interact with media departments. Having pre-approved quotes ready to go makes it much simpler for media, making you much more attractive to them. This pre-planning can minimize the strain on faculty experts during class hours. An added bonus is that it also minimizes misquotes. Insiders Tip: Duke University aims to provide daily quotes on its website by midday as part of its “news tips” section. While these quotes generally take less than one hour to produce, they have proven most effective. Almost all of their news tips have been used by the media since they started producing them in June 2014. Rule #8: Promote Your Core Areas of Expertise First With so much going on throughout the campus there are a lot of opportunities to promote a diverse range of topics to the media. However, it’s really important to identify the core topics where you have expert commentary in demand. The best media relations people have established their school as go-to sources for select topics. You should also stake your claim. What groundbreaking research can you find on the campus that relates to key news events? Think about what reporters need to communicate to their audiences. Do you have faculty who are credible, approachable and engaging on these topics? Invest the time with your team to develop a master topics list and tune this list regularly based on upcoming faculty contributions and news cycle developments. Insiders Tip: Duke University identified a number of key factors that contribute to the media take-up rate such as the degree of media interest in a story; the relative supply of experts available to media and timing considerations. While it’s impossible to control all these variables, They learned, based on trial and error, that concentrating on core topics where they have an academic focus such as politics, law and the environment generated more coverage. Rule #9: Focus your Editorial Calendar on Key Event Anniversaries It is important to get the mix right when looking for media opportunities. While it will always be to your advantage to leverage breaking news if you can mobilize your faculty experts, there is also a predefined editorial flow to the news across a calendar of special and recurring events. It’s crucial that you get some of these major opportunities on the calendar and develop a campaign to enlist faculty experts. For example, Black History Month and the Super Bowl are both annual recurring events happening in February. It’s good to map these along with other special events that are periodically staged or non- recurring such as a G8 Summit or the upcoming papal visit to the US. If you can mobilize your experts to provide value for media who need to start researching these events well in advance you increase your chances of coverage. Insiders Tip: The Duke University media relations team actively monitors upcoming anniversaries and other timely events that reporters are likely to write about. Events that have the potential to generate stories that Duke can leverage with their experts are reviewed by the communications team in twice weekly scrum meetings. Rule #10: Leverage Tools such as Twitter to Grow your Media Contacts Much of the success you will have with faculty experts hinges on your ability to take your message to the market. So it’s important to focus on grooming and growing your media contacts. Besides buying access to media lists from vendors such as Cision, PR Newswire, Marketwired and Meltwater; don’t forget about Twitter. It provides a huge opportunity to build a list of influencers and key opinion leaders. Using a simple topic and hashtag searches on Twitter, you can begin to map various clusters of people who are following specific news beats that may be relevant to your institution. Remember that media outlets tend to follow other media outlets for story angles and media sources. Having a well organized list of people that have interacted with you in the past is a large part of distributing your news faster to a larger audience. It’s important to do Twitter searches to research specific reporters you want to pitch to see where their interests lie. Insiders Tip: Duke University refines its media lists continually using Twitter. It looks at the social graph of reporters who make use its online news tips to identify other journalists to add to their database.
Pope Francis Calls Consumerism a "Virus," Encourages Prayer and Charity
In an Advent homily on December 1, Pope Francis urged to "choose prayer and charity over consumerism" during the holiday season. "Consumerism is a virus that affects the faith at its root because it makes you believe that life depends only on what you have, and so you forget about God," Francis said. "The meaning of life is not to accumulate." Villanova's experts have weighed in on and provided their thoughts on Francis' latest remarks. Mary Hirschfeld, associate professor of theology and religious studies and author of Aquinas and the Market: Toward a Humane Economy "Francis is echoing the message the Church has consistently given on this. Pope John Paul II warned about thinking of 'progress' as having more. The essence of true progress is being more—growing as a human being, giving oneself more fully to relationships, drawing closer to God. "God created us to find our happiness in Him. We thus do have a longing for the infinite. The modern mistake is to seek that infinite in the finite goods of this life. But that can never satisfy us, which is why we always look for the next thing and the next thing. "The one thing I would ask Pope Francis is whether it is our consumerism that is driving out our desire for God, or are we throwing ourselves into consumerism because we have forgotten about God? It could well be both. But for Christians who find themselves swept up in consumerism it is worth asking whether we are seeking out the distractions of things because we are afraid of turning more fully to God. This might be a fruitful line of prayer this Advent season. "We live in a culture that thinks that happiness consists in getting more. It's built into the economic approach that informs so much public discourse. So, it's not surprising that we all struggle with this. "And plenty of secular people know this is a problem. That's why there have been episodic movements towards 'simple' living. Marie Kondo's popularity is testimony to the fact that we all recognize that 'more' doesn't lead to 'better' or 'happier.'" Eugene McCarraher, associate professor of humanities and author of The Enchantments of Mammon "While I certainly agree with Pope Francis that consumerism is a virus, I don't think it's the most harmful virus with which we have to deal. In fact, I've long thought that consumerism is way of not talking about capitalism. "Capitalism needs consumerism as a structural necessity; capitalists need people to buy a lot of things they either don't need or often don't really want. Hence, the importance of the culture industries such as advertising, marketing and public relations. I also think that criticizing consumerism can end up being a rather tiresome and ineffectual form of moralism. "Wagging a finger at people for being 'materialistic' has never really worked, and besides, material things are both necessary and good; material life should be cherished and savored. The real issue isn't the amount of material goods that people use; it's the nature of the goods and what sort of people their use helps to cultivate. So, while the pope's remarks are certainly true and pertinent, I think we might use them as a starting point for a very different kind of conversation."
Sesame Street Celebrates 50 Years
Sesame Street, the longest-running children's show in American history, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Villanova's Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spent time working at Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop), the nonprofit organization that puts on Sesame Street. He reflects back on its legacy, its important focus on diversity and what lies ahead. Concerning the Program's Legacy "Sesame Street transformed the landscape for educational television at a time when very few content producers were paying attention to quality content for children. The show has effectively reduced the school readiness gap and prepared millions for scholastic success." On Special Memories "My parents could not afford to send me to preschool but used Sesame Street to reinforce the literacy and numeracy skills they taught me. I have fond memories of learning to count with Count von Count, learning the alphabet with Cookie Monster and even getting phonetics lessons with Big Bird. I cannot tell you how much of a delight it was to have Big Bird speak at one of our Commencement Ceremonies... "Perhaps more than the literacy and numeracy skills that I learned from Sesame Street, I remember the prosocial lessons of the show. At such a formative stage, I remember learning about sharing, cooperation and appreciating the differences between people." On Sesame Street and Diversity "Sesame Street has been keenly aware of the dual audiences it engages: children and their parents. At the preschool age, parents tend to be very involved in the media diet of their children. Sesame Street has taught a generation of parents to be more sensitive to issues of diversity." On the Program's Future "I think the future is bright. With the advent of increasingly diverse content distribution platforms (e.g., Netflix, Sling, Roku, Apple TV, etc.), the demand for quality content will remain strong. The makers of Sesame Street may have to be creative in figuring out how to support the production of their high-quality content while still serving their primary mission. Nonetheless, their longevity is a testament to the good thinkers they have charting the course to ongoing success. "The partnership with HBO is an industry reality. The funding for public television remains under threat and the choice is to either fold or be financially creative. I am delighted that the makers of Sesame Street have chosen to be financially creative. Moreover, they chose to partner with an outlet that has demonstrated itself to be a purveyor of high-quality content. As long as that content is shared with platforms that are more accessible to the economically disadvantaged, I do not see this much differently than the decision to use television as a distribution platform that was not universally accessible back in the late 1960s. "Sesame Street will remain relevant as long as they remain true to their original mission of bringing literacy and numeracy skills to disadvantaged populations through high-quality content. No one is and perhaps will ever be better at it than the makers of Sesame Street."
Baylor Expert Shares Six Lessons We Can Learn From Mr. Rogers About Being a Good Neighbor
WACO, Texas (Nov. 14, 2019) – In this polarized time, when it requires little effort to tear a stranger apart on social media or lash out at a family member because of a difference of opinion, the gentle cadence of Fred Rogers singing a simple song about neighbors loving and helping each other is a welcome respite. The much-anticipated movie, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks as Rogers – known to generations simply as “Mr. Rogers,” the host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” – will be released in theaters on Nov. 22. The official movie trailer posted on YouTube has drawn nearly 12 million views. Civics education expert Brooke Blevins, Ph.D., associate professor of social studies education and chair of Baylor University’s department of curriculum and instruction, said the renewed focus on the beloved and soft-spoken TV personality, who died in 2003, might be coming at just the right time. “When you watch Mr. Rogers, time slows down, and you are able to take a deep breath as complicated issues become more understandable and the beauty of relationships is reinforced,” Blevins said. “Imagine if we all walked into the world with the belief that each person was inherently worthy. Imagine if our goal was to help each other recognize that we are worthy of being loved. Imagine if we sought to listen more than we spoke,” she said. “I imagine if this was the case, that our conversation would change, our understanding of those around us would shift, and our national conversations would be more civil.” Below, Blevins shares six lessons we can learn from Mr. Rogers about being better citizens. Each person is worthy to be loved and heard. Like Mr. Rogers, we must recognize that each person we interact with is worthy to be loved and listened to. We must recognize that each person has unique experiences, fears, losses and triumphs that shape the way they understand what’s happening around them. We need to do much more listening and far less talking. We should work together to tackle tough issues in reasoned and evidenced-based ways with civility and a genuine desire to understand those around us. Use your platform for good. Mr. Rogers was deeply committed to creating a better world. Mr. Rogers did not take his role on TV lightly. He saw it as an opportunity to help young people make sense of the world around them and to become more knowledgeable and engaged citizens. He saw television as an opportunity to create community and a shared sense of purpose. As he once noted, “The space between the television screen and whoever happens to be receiving it, I consider that holy ground. A lot happens there.” Lessons we often think are for children are for adults as well. Mr. Rogers was a teacher, a pastor and a friend. His lessons were drawn from the everyday experiences of children’s lives, from current political events to personal and emotional trials children experience. Not only were these lessons for children, but for their parents who were also watching. His lessons focused on cultivating civic discourse, reasoned judgment and evidence-based decision-making, but most importantly, his lessons cultivated understanding and empathy for one’s neighbor. In his conversations and examples, he drew on our shared humanity to help young people make sense of an ever-changing world. Slow down. In a time of fast-paced and often silly cartoons that were designed to move quickly from scene to scene, Mr. Rogers maintained a much slower and thoughtful pace. A pace that was compelling to both young and old alike. He explored issues slowly and with depth, without the silly antics that are so often used to keep children and adults’ attention. He used his time with viewers to develop a relationship that valued their experience and honored their emotional complexity. He sent the message that all people are inherently valuable and are capable of loving and being loved. It’s OK to discuss tough issues – even with children. But be civil and understanding when you do it. As an ordained minister and gifted musician, Mr. Rogers utilized his vocational skills to create a safe space in which difficult conversations could occur. He never shied away from the tough conversations. From issues such as divorce, death, assassination and even 9-11, Mr. Rogers’ helped young people navigate emotionally traumatic events with both knowledge and compassion. Mr. Rogers knew that by talking about our fears, losses and misunderstandings, we could work together to build a better future. As he wrestled with these issues, he asked questions, he inquired, he listened, and he had children do the same. He had a deep-rooted commitment to helping children navigate their world. Be a good neighbor. Being a good neighbor is caring about those around you. It’s not just about tolerance, but truly seeking to understand those in your community. Being a good neighbor means helping those around you recognize that they play an important part in making the world a better and more just place. It means working together to solve complex issues and cultivate a world in which all people can fulfill their true purpose. ABOUT DR. BROOKE BLEVINS Brooke Blevins, Ph.D., teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in secondary education, social studies education and multicultural education. As a former secondary teacher, she has a passion for equipping teachers with the resources needed to engage in humanizing social studies education. Dr. Blevins also serves as the co-director for the iEngage Summer Civics Institute, for which she and co-founder Dr. Karon LeCompte have raised more than $250,000 in grant funding. Dr. Blevins’ research focuses on social studies education as a means to prepare active and engaged citizens. In her work, Dr. Blevins examines how to prepare teachers to develop both political clarity and pedagogical content knowledge that encourages them to engage in transformational based and humanizing social studies education. In addition, Dr. Blevins also is interested in how to educate and empower young people to become active civic participants through participation in action civics and digital technologies. ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. ABOUT BAYLOR SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Founded in 1919, Baylor School of Education ranks among the nation’s top 20 education schools located at private universities. The School’s research portfolio complements its long-standing commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring. Baylor’s undergraduate program in teacher education has earned national distinction for innovative partnerships with local schools that provide future teachers deep clinical preparation, while graduate programs culminating in both the Ed.D. and Ph.D. prepare outstanding leaders, teachers and clinicians through an intentional blend of theory and practice. Visit www.baylor.edu/soe to learn more.
Baylor Study: What Does It Take to Be an ‘Ideal Daughter?’
Researchers say new study gives voice to daughters and value to their role in the family WACO, Texas (Nov. 11, 2019) – The roles of daughters in the family structure and in society are difficult to define and they’re rarely understood – even by daughters themselves – said Allison Alford, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of business communication in Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. Alford, who served as an editor on the book “Constructing Motherhood and Daughterhood Across the Lifespan,” is the lead author on a new study, “Role Expectations and Role Evaluations in Daughtering: Constructing the Good Daughter,” published in the latest edition of the Journal of Family Communication. “Our research has found that ‘daughtering’ is invisible work that is not often credited, and it’s as unique as the individual women who are doing the work,” Alford said. “This study and subsequent conversations hopefully will bring to light the idea of daughtering. And as more people hear about it and learn about it, then we’ll start to give credit to it and notice it in our own lives.” The study centers on mother-daughter relationships, specifically, and looks at how daughters perceive and define their roles in that relationship. Researchers interviewed 33 women, ages 25-45, who have living mothers under the age of 70. Those age ranges were chosen in order to capture a time period for mothers and daughters with the greatest likelihood that neither individual was the caregiver of the other and both were in relatively good health, the researchers wrote. Expectations of the “Ideal Daughter” Alford said analysis of the interviews with the daughters revealed four themes or role expectations for an “ideal daughter” in relation to her mother: Showing respect Providing protection Eliciting mothering Making time for connection Each of those efforts requires work, and that work often goes unnoticed or is undervalued – even by daughters themselves, Alford said. The study noted that many of the women who were interviewed initially – almost naturally – anticipated talking about their mothers instead of themselves. “When asked to think about themselves as daughters and their communication in the relationship, many found themselves doing so for the very first time,” the researchers wrote. “These women noted that putting the emphasis on themselves and describing their role as adult daughters felt strange or awkward in its newness.” Showing Respect Respect, the study showed, was the most common topic addressed by the daughters. Based on the interviews, a daughter’s respect for her mother could be demonstrated by avoiding conflict, silencing one’s disagreement with her mother, reacting positively to her mother’s messages and supporting her mother’s power position. “Daughters demonstrated respect by adapting their communication to affirm their mothers’ competence or otherwise avoid offending and disregarding them,” the researchers wrote. One woman, identified as Kelsey in the study, said she listens to her mother talk about things she dislikes and sometimes apologizes to her mother even when she doesn’t feel apologetic. “I would never say, ‘Mom, I don’t want to hear it,’ because I would never say that to my mom. Ever. I would listen to her … I would listen to her tell me things I don’t wanna hear all day long, and never tell her,” Kelsey said. Providing Protection A number of the adult daughters interviewed felt there was an expectation that they would actively protect their mothers. This could be a daughter protecting her mother’s wellbeing, protecting her mother from being taken advantage of, or protecting her from the disrespectful actions of others, including siblings. One woman, Sabine, described a time when she had to stand up to her brother because she felt he was taking advantage of their mother’s goodwill. In addition, she said she had to “get after” her mother for not employing boundaries with the brother. The examples in the study illustrated that many daughters were happy to be champions for their mothers, but some noted that it was difficult to be protectors. Eliciting Mothering A number of the daughters who were interviewed said they struggle a bit with their roles as adults – or even as mothers themselves – who still need to engage with their mothers and ask for assistance. Many said they still seek interaction and approval from their mothers as a sense of pride. “When a daughter calls upon her mother for guidance or activates a need for an emotional evaluation such as pride, she is fulfilling her role expectations,” the researchers wrote. One woman, Lottie, said of her mother: “She compliments me as a mother. I think I feel like a good daughter when I feel like I am making her proud and she lets me know that she is proud of me … and I guess that makes me feel like a good daughter.” Connection In their descriptions of “good daughters,” a number of the daughters interviewed said it was important to set aside time to connect with their mothers. This, the study showed, could be anything from talking on the phone, meeting face to face, taking grandchildren to visit or even moving to a home nearby. Sometimes the expectations are stated outright by the mothers, but that’s not always the case, the researchers explained. Changing the Language Alford said her research has shown that the “language” of daughtering is almost nonexistent in social discourse as well as in scholarly or popular works. For example, she said, a daughter who is caring or supportive is often described as being “motherly.” “That’s an example of giving credit to mothers as being the only people who care for others, versus saying that the daughter is a caring person or that she’s supportive,” Alford said. “We want to think of daughtering as its own form of work and responsibility and put a value on that, so we can see the value that we’re putting into our family relationships and family systems.” One desired outcome of research into this area, Alford said, is that daughters will be given a voice and their valuable work within the family will be acknowledged. “The work that daughters do is important and valuable and the more that we talk about it and bring it to light, the more that we will understand what daughters can bring to the relationship and improve the mother-daughter relationship,” she said. ABOUT THE STUDY The study, “Role Expectations and Role Evaluations in Daughtering: Constructing the Good Daughter,” is published in the Journal of Family Communication. Authors are Allison Alford, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of business communication in Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business; and Meredith Marko Harrigan, Ph.D., professor of communication at SUNY Geneseo. ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY At Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, integrity stands shoulder-to-shoulder with analytic and strategic strengths. The School’s top-ranked programs combine rigorous classroom learning, hands-on experience in the real world, a solid foundation in Christian values and a global outlook. Making up approximately 25 percent of the University’s total enrollment, undergraduate students choose from 16 major areas of study. Graduate students choose from full-time, executive or online MBA or other specialized master’s programs, and Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The Business School also has campuses located in Austin and Dallas, Texas. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.
It was a historic election in Georgia that saw changing tastes and shifting tides among voters across the state. The coverage was extensive and the experts from front and center in local and statewide media lending their expert perspectives and opinions to reports and journalists about the results. “A political science associate professor on Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah says all the women who made history in Tuesday’s election overcame significant obstacles with their campaigns in Bulloch and Chatham counties. “Those three new women beat incumbents and that’s very unusual,” said Dr. Lara Wessel. “So when we see women or men beating incumbents, again we want to look to try to figure out what’s going on behind those election results. “What it says to me is that the citizens of Statesboro and the citizens of Savannah are interested in change.” Dr. Wessel adds that the five women who won elections are much more than trailblazers, they’re local proof female candidates can break through barriers that have held women out of some local political offices for centuries.” November 06 – NBC News Soon, Savannah will be welcoming four new aldermen, and two new alderman-at-large. “It’s majority progressive. It’s majority female. It’s majority community activists. A lot community activists," said Georgia Southern Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Ned Rinalducci … “We’re going to see a shift to deal with things like affordable housing, homelessness, and less on development and tourism,” said Rinalducci. Rinalducci said the city saw a turnover back in 2015-ushering in more pro-business candidates. He said this election’s shift towards could be a sign of dissatisfaction with voters. “I think clearly there’s some discontent with the priorities of city government previous, and I think that was communicated clearly with yesterday’s election results," said Rinalducci. November 06 – ABC News The coming twelve months are going to be a busy one for political reporters across the state and country. If you are a journalist looking for political experts who can be a solid source of context and perspective for your stories – let us help. Dr. Lara Wessel and Ned Rinalducci are both available to speak to media about politics, elections and issues affecting voters. Simply click on either expert’s icon to arrange an interview. https://fox28media.com/news/local/municipal-election-draws-low-turnout-equates-to-sweeping-changes-in-savannah-races
Kanye West is a master of marketing. It seems, the hip-hop superstar and designer has also crossed over to evangelism. The crowds are enormous and growing each week. In fact, this past Sunday on very short notice – one of his pop-up services attracted close to 6,000 people. The reaction from religious leaders has been mixed. Some are embracing and encouraging anyone who can use their star power to spread the good word. Others are hesitant as some events seem to be exclusive to some and not open to anyone hearing the call. Religion is never an easy topic to cover as a journalist – and if you are a reporter covering – that’s where our experts can help with your stories. Dan DeWitt, Ph. D. is the Director of the Center for Biblical Apologetics and Public Christianity at Cedarville University and is an expert in areas where faith and secularism intersect. Dr. DeWitt is available to speak with media regarding the rising popularity of Kanye West on the religious scene – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Will e-cigarettes and vaping be the next addictions epidemic to sweep across America?
In a recent op-ed, David T. Courtwright, Ph.D., an author and addiction specialist opined that there’s a market to getting people hooked on substances and that e-cigarettes are the next big problem facing America. "I had just finished a new book on addiction when the vaping crisis erupted. The gist of the book is that that globalization, industrialization, mass marketing, digitization, and social media have turned the ancient human preoccupation with disreputable, potentially addictive pleasures into lucrative, commercially normal enterprises. Bad habits have been McDonaldized. Vaping couldn’t have been a more perfect example of this. I call those who help make bad habits routine “limbic capitalists,” a reference to their products’ neural common denominator. Whether they sell junk food, porn, slots, computer games, alcohol, or drugs, they target the limbic system, the brain networks responsible for pleasure, motivation, long-term memory, and other survival functions linked to emotions. Biological evolution shaped the limbic system, which is indispensable for life and reproduction. But cultural evolution and technological change created a trapdoor. The same neural pathways can be exploited — lethally — by entrepreneurs of brain-rewarding products that foster excessive consumption and addictive behavior." October 28, 2019 – STAT There has been growing concern, awareness and news coverage about e-cigarettes and the dangers they present. As well, industry spin-doctors and public health advocates have been in overdrive trying to convince politicians about the pros and cons of legislation and regulation for these products. Are you a journalist covering this emerging issue? Then let the experts from Cedarville help with your coverage. Dr. Marc Sweeney is an expert specializing in drug abuse, prescription drug abuse, Opioid addiction, medical marijuana & related issues. Justin Cole is an expert in clinical pharmacy, Pharmacogenomics, and the pharmacy industry. Both experts are available to speak to media regarding this issue – simply click on either gentlemen’s icon to arrange an interview.
Minority of Twitter users responsible for vast majority of political tweets
Associate Professor of Law David Levine recently lent his expertise to a Washington Post article looking at who is posting tweets about U.S. politics on the popular social media platform. The Oct. 24 article by reporter Marie Baca examined a recent report by the Pew Research Center that found that 10 percent of U.S. adult Twitter users generated 97 percent of tweets mentioning national politics. Those who were most prolific accounted for just 6 percent of all U.S. adult Twitter users, but authored 73 percent of all political tweets, the report found. "It can be quite dangerous if you’re not taking a step back and saying, ‘What do I know about the sources of this information and who or what is behind it?’” — David Levine, associate professor of law Levine, who is the founder of the "Hearsay Culture" radio show about modern technology issues, noted that Twitter users who find themselves in an echo chamber populated by others who mirror their views could take less time to determine the origin or assess the truthfulness of information they receive in that chamber. “It can be quite dangerous if you’re not taking a step back and saying, ‘What do I know about the sources of this information and who or what is behind it?’” he said. “It’s very easy psychologically, especially if you’re coming into it with a particular perspective, to go along with it.” If Professor Levine can assist with your reporting about social media and online extremism, please reach out to Owen Covington, director of the Elon University News Bureau, at ocovington@elon.edu or (336) 278-7413. Professor Levine is available for phone, email and broadcast interviews.
Higher education must rediscover the 'service ethic' of teaching
Earlier this autumn, Otterbein University hosted the Democratic National Congress for a debate of its presidential candidates. All eyes from across America and around the world were on Otterbein and it was with that attention that the school’s president John Comerford weighed in with his thoughts on how leaders need to prioritize higher education. “Today the nation’s attention will shift to Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, as we host the next Democratic presidential primary debate. Questions will abound — of the candidates, between the candidates and, afterward, about who may or may not have “won” the night, all in the service of helping voters decide who might be best suited to lead. An important question that should be asked and won’t, however, isn’t for the candidates at all but for higher education: “Are you ready to lead?” Sadly, the answer is, “No.” Make no mistake, I fully expect plenty of discussion about higher education at the debate — its high costs, student debt, workforce shortages and the difficulty of change. I just hope the candidates don’t hold back in calling to account higher education itself simply because we happen to be their hosts. There is plenty of blame to go around with the challenges in higher education today, and higher education institutions themselves own a fair share of it. Perhaps no issue contributes more to higher education’s affordability problems than institutions’ — and parents’ — preoccupation with “prestige.” Exclusivity and selectivity are thought to be hallmarks of quality, which fosters a system that rewards institutions for perpetually raising admission standards and prices. The problem with this is that test scores — the most frequently-used metric for a student’s academic strength — generally track with a family’s income. Students from higher-wealth families have higher test scores and more frequently gain entrance to “selective” institutions, which steadily become less and less diverse. To essentially segregate students by their parents’ income this way, however, is un-American and does nothing to enrich an education or advance quality in research or instruction. It is the inevitable product, though, of a mindset that “selective” and high rankings are the top priorities in higher education. This is a falsehood that needs to be turned upside down…” October 15 – The Hill The rest of the op-ed is attached – and it is well worth the read. But if you are a journalist covering this topic or wish to learn more – then let us help. John Comerford is an expert in higher education, regional and national topics. He is the President of Otterbein University and is available to speak with media regarding higher education in America. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
