Featured Post from University of Delaware

Back to School: Experts Available to talk ChatGPT, Food Insecurity and Education Leadership

Aug 23, 2023

2 min

With the school year starting very soon, the University of Delaware media team have rounded up some education stories, experts and research to consider for feature/publication.

Experts:

Gary Henry is dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development and professor in the School of Education and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration. He specializes in education policy, educational evaluation, educator labor markets, and quantitative research methods. Gary can lend context and steps to take to reverse/adapt to this new educational landscape.

Allison Karpyn is an associate professor who can speak to topics related to hunger, obesity, school food, supermarket access, food insecurity, healthy corner stores and strategies to develop and maintain farmer’s markets in low-income areas. She has spoken extensively about food in schools and can offer context to those subjects.

Joshua Wilson is an associate professor and has been featured in WaPo for his AI/ChatGPT knowledge in the past. His research broadly focuses on ways to improve the teaching and learning of writing and specifically focuses on ways that automated writing evaluation systems can facilitate those improvements.

Stories:

UD professor partners with Sesame Workshop to create Stories with Clever Hedgehog

Among the casualties of the Ukraine war are 2 million-plus children. In an effort to restore some sense of normalcy to their education years, University of Delaware professor Roberta Golinkoff—a nationally recognized expert in childhood literacy—has partnered with Sesame Workshop and others to develop Stories with Clever Hedgehog, a website with free interactive e-books, games and other resources. Books are available in both Ukrainian and English, prompting a global experience for readers of any background. There are photos and video ready for this coverage. Golinkoff and Sesame Workshop leadership are open for interviews.

Research:

Study finds teachers’ anxiety in mathematics and science was associated with the mathematics and science anxiety of their low-SES students

To reach out to specific experts, please click on their "View Profile" button.

Connect with:

Joshua Wilson

Associate Professor, Education

Prof. Wilson's research focuses on ways that technology and artificial intelligence can improve the teaching and learning of writing.

Writing InstructionWriting AssessmentAutomated ScoringAutomated FeedbackArtificial Intelligence in Education

Gary T. Henry

Professor, Education

Prof. Henry specializes in education policy, educational evaluation, educator labor markets, and quantitative research methods.

Education PolicyEducational EvaluationEducator Labor MarketsQuantitative Research Methods

Allison Karpyn

Professor, Education; Senior Associate Director, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy

Prof. Karpyn can speak to topics such as obesity, food policy and community nutrition.

Farmer’s MarketsSupermarket AccessObesityFood InsecurityPublic Health

Roberta Golinkoff

Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Chair and Professor

Prof. Golinkoff studies language development, playful learning, effects of media on children, spatial development, and applying her science.

Early Childhood Education Early Spatial DevelopmentPlayful LearningBenefits of PlayEffects of Media on Children

Leigh McLean

Associate Research Professor, Education

Prof. McLean investigates how teachers’ emotions and emotion-related experiences including well-being impact their effectiveness.

Developmental PsychologyInstructional PracticesTeachers and TeachingWell-BeingClassroom Behavior

Find Experts

Aug 10, 2026

1 min

Experts on earthquake response, community recovery and building safety

The shaking from a major earthquake may be over in minutes, but its consequences will last for years. University of Delaware experts can address emergency response, distributing aid, assessing damaged buildings, helping vulnerable communities and planning for long-term recovery. Their expertise is particularly relevant as communities across Latin America respond to major earthquakes, including the deadly magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia. Tricia Wachtendorf, co-director of UD’s Disaster Research Center, offers expertise on how governments, nonprofits, emergency responders and community groups coordinate following a major disaster. Her research examines the role of spontaneous or “emergent” groups, humanitarian aid and donations, and how communities and organizations respond in the aftermath of disasters. Jennifer Trivedi, associate professor of anthropology and Disaster Research Center faculty member, specializes in disaster vulnerability and why some communities are more severely affected than others. She also addresses the long-term recovery needs and planning that emerge after the immediate crisis. Michael Chajes, professor of civil and environmental engineering, provides expertise on the structural damage caused by earthquakes, why some buildings collapse while others withstand the shaking and how engineers assess damaged structures and improve earthquake resilience. To arrange an interview with one of these experts, visit their profiles and click on the contact button. Interested reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Aug 5, 2026

1 min

Mapping the ancient world with underwater robotics

As audiences flock to theaters for Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, University of Delaware professor Art Trembanis is leading a real-life expedition to uncover one of ancient Greece's most important maritime landscapes. Trembanis, a professor in UD's School of Marine Science and Policy and an expert in seafloor mapping, marine robotics and underwater sensing technologies, recently led a team of students and researchers to the ancient harbor of Kenchreai, where they deployed autonomous underwater vehicles, advanced sonar systems and other cutting-edge mapping technologies to document a harbor that has remained hidden beneath the Mediterranean Sea for centuries. The expedition collected geospatial data that will allow researchers to reconstruct the ancient port in remarkable detail and ultimately create a "digital twin" of the site. The virtual model will enable archaeologists, engineers, students and the public to explore the harbor as if the water had been removed, preserving an invaluable piece of cultural heritage while advancing the use of marine technology in archaeology. Trembanis can discuss: Marine robotics and autonomous underwater vehicles Seafloor mapping and underwater imaging technologies The use of digital twins and 3D modeling to study underwater environments Advances in marine geospatial technology and ocean exploration Underwater archaeology and documenting submerged cultural heritage How engineering and marine science are transforming the study of oceans and ancient landscapes The role of emerging technologies in scientific discovery and education To arrange an interview with Trembanis, click on his profile or email mediarelations@udel.edu.

Jul 28, 2026

1 min

How Wildfires Impact Vulnerable Communities, Pets and Public Health Systems

Wildfires burning across the world, now in parts of France and Spain, are forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. University of Delaware experts are available to discuss wildfire evacuations, vulnerable communities, animal rescue and the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure. Those experts, from UD’s Disaster Research Center, include: Sarah DeYoung Professor of sociology and criminal justice: • How people are forced to make split-second decisions involving horses, livestock and companion animals during fast-moving wildfires. • Why some owners must turn animals loose when evacuation time is limited. • Lessons from past disasters and animal rescue research. Jennifer Trivedi Assistant professor of anthropology: • The unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations during wildfires. • Complications surrounding evacuation decision-making and evacuation needs. • Long-term recovery following catastrophic disasters. Jennifer Horney Chair of UD’s Department of Epidemiology: • Health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure, including respiratory infections. • How wildfire smoke and airborne pollutants affect population health. • The strain major wildfires can place on public health and health care systems. To arrange an interview with these experts, visit their profile page and click on the "contact" button. Interested journalists can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.