News Media Turn to College Faculty for Expertise During Presidential Nominating Conventions

International, national and local media reporting on the presidential nominating conventions have turned to College of Liberal Arts & Sciences faculty for their expertise on public policy, historical and cultural context, communication issues and other topics.

This has been especially true during Democratic National Convention activities in Charlotte during the days immediately leading up to President Barack Obama’s acceptance speech on September 6 of his nomination for a second term.

College faculty were listed as among the university’s experts on the university’s 49er Democracy Experience website, and media have drawn upon them for their expertise.  One of the most frequently quoted has been Eric Heberlig, co-chair of the 49er Democracy Experience, along with Betty Doster, special assistant to the chancellor for constituent relations. Heberlig is an associate professor of political science in the college.

Heberlig was quoted in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and on News14Carolina, WBTV and WFAE and as a commentator throughout the week on Charlotte Talks on WFAE. He also was videotaped by Canadian, Iraqi and Swedish Broadcasting Cos. for reports about the upcoming presidential election.

Kristen Clanton, who is pursuing her master’s in public administration, was one of two students interviewed for PBS NewsHour. History professors Karen Cox and David Goldfield discussed aspects of Southern history and Charlotte with the Huffington Post and The Charlotte Observer. Other UNC Charlotte faculty interviewed included Martha Kropf, political science and public administration; David Swindell, public policy; Suzanne Leland, director of the Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration Program; and Richard Leeman, communication studies.

Claudia Avellaneda, political science and public administration, and Greg Weeks, chair of the department of political science and public administration, provided expert commentary to Telemundo during the convention. Additionally, communication studies faculty members Margaret Quinlan and Jillian Tullis were interviewed about their research during the convention on the impact of women’s health issues on the election.

(Pictured: Eric Heberlig during an interview.)