Expert Alert
November 2007

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U of M professor discusses the current fight against AIDS
Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day
November 30, 2007

Thousands of events will be taking place on Dec. 1 across the globe to mark World AIDS Day. The day, created by the World Health Organization, is an opportunity to encourage world leaders to act now to address the AIDS pandemic. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss the latest on the disease is:

Susan Craddock, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies professor at the University of Minnesota
“Epidemics aren’t just the spread of pathogens, but social and political phenomena as well,” said Craddock. An important part of World AIDS Day now is to address all aspects of the devastating disease. Craddock has written extensively on AIDS and is co-editor of “HIV and AIDS in Africa: Beyond Epidemiology.”

To interview Craddock, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Let the shopping begin -- but what's in store for retailers this season?
November 19, 2007


It’s the week of the infamous “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving that signifies the start of the holiday shopping season, and retailers are revving up their promotions and deals for the onslaught of shoppers. But this year, in the midst of a slumping housing market and rising energy prices, businesses are worried about how wide consumers will open their wallets. A University of Minnesota expert who can give some perspective on the concerns of retailers is:

Mark Bergen, professor of marketing and chair of the department of marketing at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
Bergen can discuss the challenges that retailers are facing and strategies they can employ during this time of spending uncertainty. An expert in pricing and marketing strategy, Bergen can also speak to the economic impact of the holidays and the ever-increasing size of the buying season.

To interview Bergen, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Viewing this weekend’s Leonids meteor shower
November 15, 2007

With the absence of the moon, the Leonids meteor shower should vividly appear in the night sky this Saturday, Nov. 17 if weather conditions remain clear. The yearly occurrence has grown in popularity as gazers are traditionally treated to a dazzling display of cosmic fireworks. A U of M expert who can explain what to look for is:

Evan Skillman, astronomy professor at the University of Minnesota
Skillman says that if the skies stay clear, visibility conditions should be great on Saturday night. The Leonids meteor shower has been viewed for centuries, and Skillman calls it a “spectacular phenomenon.”

To interview Skillman, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

U of M pioneering veteran services efforts
November 8, 2007

It is Veterans Day this weekend, and the University of Minnesota and the state of Minnesota are recognized leaders in support programs for returning veterans. But there is much citizens at the community level can do to help veterans make the transition from “warrior” to “citizen.” U of M experts who are available to discuss vet support programs at the U are:

Dennis Donovan, University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute
Donovan is an organizer with the U of M's Center for Democracy and Citizenship and can discuss the center's Warrior to Citizen campaign. This new statewide grassroots effort provides enduring community support to returning soldiers and their families and challenges Minnesotans to think creatively about how returning veterans can contribute their new skills and experiences, as citizens.

Mary Koskan, director of University of Minnesota Student Services
Koskan can explain how campuses across the country are seeing an increase in student veterans as men and women are returning home from service. At the U of M she has made the school a leader in higher education initiatives to help them make the transition to college life.

To interview Donovan or Koskan, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

An astronomical perspective on daylight-saving time
November 1, 2007

For most people, daylight-saving time simply means setting clocks ahead or back an hour as the seasons change. A University of Minnesota astronomer who can explain humankind’s attempt to harness the sun is:

Lawrence Rudnick, astronomy professor at the University of Minnesota
Rudnick can discuss how the change in length of the days throughout the year corresponds with the effects of daylight-saving time and answer the question why the middle of the day (halfway between sunrise and sunset) is not always at noon. He can also explain how astronomers use a different, broader time scale, "star time," instead of the conventional "sun time" that is based off the Earth's rotation around the sun.

To interview Rudnick, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or gior0011@umn.edu.