Featured Post from University of Delaware

The Handshake Seen 'Round The World

Sep 11, 2024

2 min

David Redlawsk
CaptionResizeWrap TextRemove


More than 50 million viewers were expecting a cold standoff to start last night's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump. University of Delaware experts say Trump was likely more shocked than they were when Harris walked to his podium for a cordial handshake.


"It was a clearly planned move on Harris' part intending to assert some dominance over someone whose entire schtick is about being dominant. And it was successful, and I think it discomforted Trump," said David Redlawsk, professor of political science and international relations.


Erin Cassese, professor of political science and international relations, said the move exuded confidence, especially given that President Biden and former-President Trump did not shake hands at the outset of their July debate.


"Harris’s pursuit of the handshake showed off the bat that she would engage in this debate on her own terms, Cassese said. "It also had Trump on the back foot, as he seemed not to expect the gesture."


Cassese said the handshake also offset any advantage Trump might have gained due to the podium setup, which could have highlighted their height differential.


"But the handshake showed that Harris was not intimidated by the difference in stature," Cassese said.


Redlawsk is a political psychologist who studies voter behavior and emotion, focusing on how voters process political information to make their decisions. He has written several books on politics, worked behind the scenes on campaigns and ran for local office.


Cassese explores the behavior of women as voters and candidates for political office in the United States. Her areas of expertise are gender, abortion, public opinion, campaigns and elections.


To set up an interview either either expert, reporters can visit their ExpertFile pages and clicking on the "contact" button.


Connect with:
David Redlawsk

David Redlawsk

Professor and Chair, Political Science Political Science and International Relations

Prof. Redlawsk is a political psychologist with expertise in campaigns, voter behavior, decision making, and emotion.

Political CampaignsDecision MakingSurvey ResearchPoliticsVoter Beavior and Attitudes

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from University of Delaware

2 min

University of Delaware secures $13.1M grant to transform Alzheimer’s research and prevention

A new five-year $13.1 million grant will greatly expand the ability of University of Delaware researchers to pursue ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. The gift from the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) is one of the largest in state history for Alzheimer’s research. UD's Christopher Martens called the grant "transformational," as it will support the expansion of a statewide prevention study, enable the purchase of a state-of-the-art MRI machine and drive discovery of new diagnostic tools and treatments. “It will also help grow the number of researchers in Delaware focused on Alzheimer’s disease, promoting an interdisciplinary approach." said Martens, director of UD's Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research (DECCAR) and professor of kinesiology and applied physiology in the College of Health Sciences. Bringing together researchers from multiple fields to collaborate on a critical challenge like Alzheimer’s disease is a key strength of the University of Delaware, said Interim President Laura Carlson. “Every one of us has a family member or friend who has been deeply affected by Alzheimer’s. I’m proud that UD is working better to understand this terrible disease and partnering with others throughout the state to work on its prevention, diagnosis and treatment,” Carlson said. “We are grateful to the Delaware Community Foundation for their support, which allows us to escalate our research and expand our community outreach.” “No one has to look very far afield to witness and understand the tragedy of Alzheimer’s, and the research supported by this grant will help UD researchers come ever-closer to uncovering life-improving and life-saving solutions,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). “The grant was provided through the generosity of late Paul H. Boerger, who made a substantial legacy gift to the fund he had established at the DCF in his lifetime, and his foresight will help so many.” The gift is aimed at achieving the following goals: • Tracking Alzheimer’s risk over time – Expanding Delaware’s largest study of brain aging from 100 to 500 participants to uncover who develops dementia and why. • A simple blood test for early detection – Developing a first-of-its-kind test that could diagnose Alzheimer’s years earlier than current methods. • Cutting-edge brain imaging – Installing a $3.2 million MRI machine on UD’s STAR Campus to reveal hidden brain changes linked to memory loss. • Spotting the earliest warning signs – Exploring how subtle shifts in language and menopause-related hormone changes may predict Alzheimer’s risk. • Fueling prevention and cures – Creating powerful data and tools that will accelerate new treatments and bring researchers closer to stopping Alzheimer’s. To reach Martens for an interview, visit his profile and click on the "contact" button. Interviews with DCF officials can be arranged by emailing MediaRelations@udel.edu.

2 min

Empowering independence: Blue Envelope program facilitates safer communication between drivers with disabilities and police

University of Delaware, in close collaboration with Delaware State Police, the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, the Office of Highway Safety, and the Delaware DMV, has co-developed the Blue Envelope Program – now launched statewide as of Aug. 26, 2025. The program offers no-questions-asked, no-ID-required, free envelopes that drivers with disabilities (including communication differences, sensory needs, mobility limitations, or other differences) can keep in their vehicle. The envelope includes space for emergency contact or medical notes, instructions for law enforcement and tips to ensure safe, respectful, clear exchanges during traffic stops. The University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies helped review and approve the content and design to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. UD experts – including Sarah Mallory (Associate Director of the Center for Disabilities Studies) and Alisha Fletcher (Director, Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism) – are available to speak about how the program supports an underserved and underrepresented group and improves outcomes in law enforcement encounters. Why This Matters: Traffic stops can be stressful for drivers with disabilities and can lead to misinterpretations or heightened risk. The Blue Envelope helps reduce misunderstandings while preserving dignity and safety. Delaware joins around 10 other states (including Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont) in adopting a traffic-stop communication aid for drivers with disabilities This is a practical, no-barrier solution that promotes equity, accessibility, and respectful law enforcement practices. To speak with either Mallory or Fletcher to learn more about the program's development, impact and what’s next, email mediarelations@udel.edu.

2 min

Spitting image: What the blunder by Philadelphia Eagles' Carter can teach us about teams

Social media caught fire when Philadelphia Eagles' defensive tackle Jalen Carter got tossed for spitting on Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott before the first snap of this year's NFL season opener. While the impact on the game was obvious, what unfolded on the field of play has lessons for the workplace and the boardroom. The University of Delaware's Kyle Emich can talk about the parallels between the two worlds when individuals let their teams down. Emich, a professor of management in UD's Lerner College of Business and Economics, said emotional events occur all the time in the workplace, especially in board rooms, where the atmosphere is often competitive. "Emotion regulation is a key part of harnessing motivation appropriately in a competitive context," Emich said. • Early on, the Cowboys were able to regulate their emotions to tap into the incident when they roared out to several seamless offensive drives. • Emich says the Eagles' young, inexperienced and not-yet-gelled defensive unit was unable to regulate their emotions and preserve their confidence (collective efficacy) after the incident. They were unable to stop Dallas in the first half. • Carter's act could also have served as an emotion regulation cue for both teams. The Eagles defense was unable to regulate and maintain stability, leading to a number of costly penalties. But the Cowboys seemed to have had the same issue when they retaliated with personal fouls of their own. •  In the end, the Eagles were able to come together under the leadership of their coach, Nick Sirianni, and quarterback, Jalen Hurts, to secure a 24-20 victory. To connect with Emich for an interview, visit his profile page and click on the "contact" button.

View all posts
Powered by