WHAT: While Election Day 2021 is not a Presidential election, there are many key local races including gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Many experts are calling the Virginia race as a bellwether for how next year’s midterm elections will go and measuring whether it’s a referendum on former President Donald Trump.
As you plan coverage around Election Day on Tuesday, American University has experts available to provide commentary and analysis. Our experts are available to discuss the election, the candidates, voter turnout, women in politics, media coverage of the elections, and political campaigns.
WHEN: Thursday, October 28th – Thursday, November 4th
WHO: American University experts available include:
David Barker, director of American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, is a nationally recognized expert on campaigns and elections, public opinion, political information and misinformation, political polarization, and political representation. He is the author of Representing Red and Blue: How the Culture War Changes the Way Citizens Speak and Politicians Listen and One Nation, Two Realities: Dueling Facts in American Democracy.
Jane Hall, professor of journalism and media studies in the School of Communication, specializes in media and politics. She explores issues of special interest to young people, the depiction of women in media and politics, media ethics and popular culture. A former weekly commentator on Fox News Channel, she has regularly appeared as a commentator and media expert on CNN’s “Reliable Sources,” MSNBC, PBS, NPR, C-SPAN and other TV networks.
Molly O’Rourke, Executive-in-Residence in the School of Communication, has more than 15 years’ experience in public opinion research and political communication. She has worked on Capitol Hill, for EMILY’s List, the women’s political action committee, and as an analyst at the Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute.
Leonard Steinhorn, professor of Communication and affiliate Professor of History. His expertise includes American politics, culture, and media; the presidency and presidential elections; political strategy and communication. Prof. Steinhorn is an author, researcher, and is a frequent commentator and contributor to national news outlets.
Filippo Trevisan, assistant professor in the School of Communication and Deputy Director of the Institute on Disability and Public Policy. A former reporter for Italy’s largest news agency in Rome, his research explores the impact of new media technologies on advocacy, activism, and political communication. His work also investigates how elite and grassroots stakeholders use the Internet to influence debates about contested issues and affect policy decisions, including in combination with traditional protest and strategic communication techniques.
CONTACT: AU Communications, at 202-885-5950 or via e-mail at aumedia@american.edu
About American University
American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU’s faculty, students, staff, and alumni are changemakers who shape the future from sustainability to social justice to the sciences. Building on our 128-year history of education and research in the public interest, we say “Challenge Accepted” to addressing the world’s pressing issues. Our Change Can’t Wait comprehensive campaign creates transformative educational opportunities, advances research with impact, and builds stronger communities.
