Wake Forest University experts are available to comment on Election 2024. Representing a wide range of academic areas, including politics, economics, religion, communication and law, professors can share their expertise on a variety of election-related topics.
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Politics & International Affairs
Jack Amoureux
Foreign Policy and Security
Jack Amoureux, associate professor of politics & international affairs, specializes in ethics in world politics, US foreign policy, and international relations theory. His research covers colonialism and emerging technologies of war. In recent publications, including “A Practice of Ethics for Global Politics,” Amoureux offers valuable insights into how foreign policy debates, especially around ethics and security, may shape the upcoming 2024 election.
Election expertise: Foreign policy • Ethics • Security • Technologies of war
Politics & International Affairs
Lina Benabdallah
U.S./China Relations
Lina Benabdallah, associate professor of politics & international affairs, is the author of “Shaping the Future of Power: Knowledge Production and Network-Building in China-Africa Relations” (2020). The book develops a framework drawing on Qin Yaqing’s Relational International Relations theory to analyze China’s human capital investments and network-building motivations in Africa. She can discuss international development, China-Africa relations foreign policy, African politics and post-colonial theory.
Election expertise: China-Africa relations • African politics • international development
Law
Meghan Boone
Reproductive Rights
Meghan Boone, professor of law, specializes in reproductive rights and gender equality. She can offer crucial insights into state-level battles and their national implications. Her work sheds light on how these debates influence voter decisions and the significance of reproductive rights in this year’s key races, including North Carolina’s pivotal elections.
Election Expertise: Reproductive rights • Voter issues • Abortion laws • Family law • Gender inequality
Sociology
Hana Brown
Social Inequalities
Hana Brown, associate professor of sociology is an expert on the political origins and consequences of social inequalities. Brown can offer perspectives on the challenges of immigration policy, including the implications for social inequalities, racial disparities and the demands on local communities. She can also comment on the broader political landscape and the potential impacts of different policy approaches on immigrant communities and society as a whole.
Election expertise: Immigration • Social policy • Racial inequality
History
Simone Caron
Reproductive Rights
Simone Caron, professor of history, has chaired both the history department and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program. Her research focuses on American medical history, reproductive issues and gender dynamics from 1830 onwards. She can provide commentary on reproductive issues, societal shifts and how abortion rights shape contemporary political discourse and voter attitudes.
Election Expertise: Reproductive issues • American reproductive history since 1830 • Women in the workplace • Societal shifts
Anthropology
Sherri Lawson Clark
Housing
Sherri Lawson Clark, professor of anthropology and an applied cultural anthropologist, is an expert on housing instability among low-income families. She focuses on the intricate connections between housing policy, health and welfare policies, marriage initiatives, migration, and how residential mobility impacts the well-being of impoverished children and families. Her research directly intersects with the issue of housing affordability, a critical topic in the upcoming election.
Election Expertise: Poverty • Affordable housing • Housing policy • Welfare policies • Immigration • Effects of residential mobility on the well-being of poor children and families
History
Benjamin Coates
Economic sanctions and U.S. foreign relations
Benjamin Coates, associate professor of history, studies the history of economic sanctions and U.S. foreign relations. In a recent article in The Hill, he said, “History offers few examples where even greater forms of economic pressure have successfully persuaded targets to dramatically transform their foreign or domestic policies, and in many cases economic pressure has made the problem worse.” His articles have appeared in Diplomatic History, the Journal of American History, Modern American History, and he has contributed to numerous edited volumes and collections. Coates is a co-editor of the United States in the World book series from Cornell University Press. His first book examined the relationship between international law and empire.
Election expertise: Economic Sanctions in U.S. Foreign Policy • Tariffs
Economics
Mark Curtis
Green Energy and Jobs
Mark Curtis, a professor of economics, specializes in environmental and labor economics. He researches environmental policy and how the shift towards green energy is affecting communities where worker livelihoods are based on non-renewable energy sources. Curtis also studies how environmental and tax policies affect labor markets and economic sustainability more broadly.
Election Expertise: Climate change and economics • Green jobs • Labor market • Energy policy • Public policy
Politics & International Affairs
Sara Dahill-Brown
Education
Sara Dahill-Brown, associate professor of politics and international affairs, can discuss educational politics and policy in the U.S. with a focus on state-level variation, state-local relations and implementation. She recently provided context around engagement survey results that were conducted in Pittsburgh Public Schools for the local NPR member station. She can also discuss the role of teacher unions in schools this election.
Election expertise: Education policy and issues • Public schools • Teacher unions • Educator issues post pandemic • Equity in public schools
Economics
Tina Marsh Dalton
Health Care
Tina Marsh Dalton, associate professor of economics, specializes in health economics and industrial organization. Her research focuses on the health insurance markets and how insurance structures influence patient behavior and outcomes. She also studies provider markets and how nonprofits and for-profits differ in patient selection and behavior. She can offer insights related to the availability of insurance coverage and Medicare and Medicaid.
Election Expertise: Health insurance • Health coverage • Medicare and Medicaid • Costs of healthcare
Politics & International Affairs
John Dinan
U.S. and North Carolina politics
John Dinan, a political science professor and leading national expert on state constitutions and state politics, has recently commented on how reproductive rights battles are playing out nationwide – in some states leading to passage of constitutional amendments. He can provide analyses of key issues in the presidential election and other national races. In North Carolina, he can discuss the hotly contested gubernatorial race and other state-wide elections that will determine control of the NC legislature.
Election expertise: State constitutions and reproductive rights • Redistricting • N.C. legislature • State constitutional amendments
Politics & International Affairs
Justin Esarey
Polling and Voter Behavior
Justin Esarey, associate professor of politics & international affairs, can comment on polling methodologies and voter turnout. His research focuses on the relationship between corruption and female participation in government. Esarey can offer insights into voter behavior and election outcomes including safeguarding electoral integrity against voter suppression tactics.
Election expertise: Polling • Voter behavior • Political methodology • Election integrity • Voter issues
Communication
Nate French
Political Rhetoric
Nate French, teaching professor of communication, can discuss political rhetoric in campaigns, nonverbal communication and the U.S. presidential race and North Carolina politics. His analysis for the 2024 presidential election has been featured in several media outlets, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, CTV News, a CNN affiliate based in Toronto, Canada, and WGHP Fox 8 in High Point.
Election Expertise: Voter issues • Political rhetoric • Campaigns • Nonverbal communication • Voter behavior
Law
Marie-Amélie George
LBGTQ+ Rights
Marie-Amélie George, professor of law, specializes in LGBTQ rights and teaches courses on civil procedure and family law. Her recent book, “Family Matters Queer Households and the Half-Century Struggle for Legal Recognition,” examines the national legal change in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights. George can address how and why laws have changed, as well as the ways in which history can provide insight into current legal debates.
Election Expertise: LBGTQ+ • Family law
Law
Allyson E. Gold
Poverty and Housing
Allyson E. Gold, professor of law and director of Wake Forest’s Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, can discuss poverty, healthcare and housing issues. Gold entered the legal profession after working to help low-income tenants overcome barriers to housing stability in Washington, DC. In recognition of her dedication to serving the public interest, she was awarded the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty John J. Curtin Justice Fund Award.
Election Expertise: Housing instability • Housing policy • Health care policy • Poverty issues
Sociology
Andrea Gómez Cervantes
Immigration
Andrea Gómez Cervantes, assistant professor of sociology, studies international migration, gender violence, race and immigration policies’ spillover consequences on the well-being of immigrant families and their communities in the U.S. Gómez Cervantes frequently serves as an expert witness regarding country conditions of Mexico and Guatemala pertaining to gender violence in asylum cases. She can explain the role of immigration discourse and immigration policies in the 2024 election.
Election expertise: Immigration • Immigration policy • Race
Law
Mark Hall
Health Care
Mark Hall, professor of law, is among the nation’s foremost authorities on health care law, public policy, and bioethics. His scholarly contributions range from health care reform to insurance regulation. He can comment on voter concerns in national elections and insights into state-level races, particularly North Carolina’s fiercely contested gubernatorial and legislative elections. Hall is an authority on how health care, law and politics intersect to shape policy and electoral dynamics.
Election Expertise: Health care law • Public policy • Voter issues • N.C. politics and key races • Bioethics
Law
Raina Haque
Emerging Technologies
Raina Haque, professor of law, specializes in the intersection of law and emerging technologies such as advanced artificial intelligence, genomics, human-computer brain interfaces, blockchain, smart contracts and digital rights. As a former deep neural network developer at the National Institutes of Health and a business analyst in global portfolio trading technologies, Haque’s expertise integrates computer science, operations and ethics.
Election Expertise: Internet law • Artificial intelligence • Cybersecurity • Privacy • Social media
Business
Mark Johnson
Economy and Inflation
Mark Johnson, professor of business, researches financial markets, financial literacy, consumer sentiment and investments. He has presented his research to various audiences, including the The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Midwest Finance Association, and the University of Dayton’s Redefining Investment Strategy Education Forum. Johnson can comment on how millennials are faring economically and how tax legislation may influence voters.
Election Expertise: Inflation • Tax legislation • Economy • Stock market
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Julia S. Jordan-Zachery
Black Women and Politics
Julia S. Jordan-Zachery, professor and chair of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, is a noted scholar of Black feminism. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on African American women and public policy. She is an award-winning author and most recently co-edited the book “Black Women in Politics: Demanding Citizenship, Challenging Power, and Seeking Justice”. She can discuss Black politics and Black women’s politics as well as voter issues.
Election expertise: Black politics • Black women’s politics • Voter issues
Politics & International Affairs
Wei-chin Lee
U.S. China Relations
Wei-chin Lee, professor of politics & international affairs, is an expert on politics in China and Taiwan. He specializes in East Asian international relations, international security, and civil-military relations. With a focus on the domestic politics of China and Taiwan, as well as U.S. policy toward East Asia, he can offer insights into the complex dynamics shaping the region. Lee’s insights into domestic politics in China and Taiwan can explain how these dynamics may influence foreign policy debates and decisions in the upcoming election.
Election expertise: Foreign and U.S. policy • China and Taiwan • East Asia • International security
Politics & International Affairs
Adam Lenton
Russia and Ukraine
Adam Lenton, assistant professor of politics & international affairs, is an expert on political development, nationalism and security, with a focus on Russia and the former Soviet Union. He can discuss the geopolitical dynamics surrounding Russia, especially concerning the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. As the Russia-Ukraine War continues, Lenton can offer insights into how these issues may influence U.S. foreign policy and broader international relations in the election discourse.
Election expertise: Foreign policy • Russia • Ukraine • Nationalism • International security
Young Voters
Marianne Magjuka
College Voters
Marianne Magjuka, executive director of the Office of Civic & Community Engagement, directs civic learning and democratic engagement programs for students. She can discuss campus-wide efforts to engage college students in Election 2024 and student participation in Deacs Decide, a bipartisan political engagement project.
Election expertise: Democracy on campus • College voters • Student engagement
Young Voters
Deb Marke
College Students and Election Engagement
Deb Marke, associate director of advocacy and social justice education in the Office of Civic & Community Engagement, plays a pivotal role in fostering campus-wide dialogue on election issues and voter participation. She can discuss methods for equipping students with the knowledge and tools to actively engage in the democratic process and make their voices heard on critical social justice and political issues during the election.
Election expertise: Election engagement • Nonpartisan voting efforts • College voters • Student engagement
Business
Shannon McKeen
Artificial intelligence
Shannon McKeen, executive director of the University’s Center for Analytics Impact and professor of the practice, can discuss the business impacts of AI. Recently, the Center hosted an “AI for Executives” forum, highlighting how organizations can effectively stay ahead of relevant AI trends. Led by McKeen, the session provided a comprehensive exploration of artificial intelligence from its historical evolution to present-day practical applications.
Election Expertise: History of AI • AI in higher education • AI societal impacts
Environment and Sustainability
Stan Meiburg
Environmental Policy
Stan Meiburg, executive director of Wake Forest’s Andrew Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability, is an expert on environmental regulation. He served 39 years at the EPA, including as acting deputy administrator. Meiburg is nationally recognized for his expertise in air and water pollution policy, remediating hazardous waste sites, fostering partnerships with state and tribal environmental programs, and advocating for effective management both at EPA and in state environmental programs.
Election Expertise: Environmental policy • Climate • Sustainability • Energy
Communication
Ananda Mitra
Social Media in the Election
Ananda Mitra, professor of communication, is an expert on social media communications. He can address the role social media will play post-election. Mitra can comment on the ways in which personal details about individuals gleaned from what users like, share, buy and click on are used to influence beliefs and actions through social media.
Election Expertise: Social media pre- and post-election • Digital networks • Social media and communications
Education
Dani Parker Moore
Education
Dani Parker Moore, assistant professor of education and multicultural education, can discuss key education issues voters are weighing in this election, including the North Carolina superintendent’s race and school funding. Through qualitative analysis, she explores educational disparities, equity and social reform. She continues to research the impacts of pandemic-induced challenges on public schools.
Election Expertise: National and North Carolina education issues • Public schools • Culturally relevant curriculum • Education and pandemic
Business
Pelin Pekgun
Supply Chains
Pelin Pekgun, a professor of analytics, studies supply chain management, pricing and revenue management. She can provide in-depth insights into supply chain resilience and how disruptions impact consumer prices and inflation, particularly within the travel, hospitality and retail sectors. She can also discuss manufacturing, logistics and transportation in relation to supply chains.
Election Expertise: Supply chains • Pricing and revenue management • Economy • Analytics and management
Law
W. Keith Robinson
Intellectual Property
W. Keith Robinson, associate dean for research at Wake Forest School of Law, is a nationally recognized patent scholar who researches how legal institutions govern emerging technology. He can comment on issues of intellectual property law, and his recent work has explored how artificial intelligence may impact obtaining U.S. patents.
Election expertise: Emerging technology • AI and patents
Law
Sidney Shapiro
Environment and Energy
Sidney Shapiro, professor of law, is one of the country’s leading experts in administrative procedure and regulatory policy. He is the co-author of the 2024 book, “How Government Built America,” which presents a novel history of America from the colonial period to the present and establishes government as an essential partner with the market system in building the country. He has written or co-written eight other books, eight book chapters, and over fifty-five articles.
Election expertise: Government systems • Administrative procedure law • Regulatory policy • Energy and environment
Economics
Koleman Strumpf
Political Betting and Futures Markets
Koleman Strumpf, professor of economics professor, is an expert on political betting and its long history in U.S. politics. He has 25 years of experience studying political futures markets. Strumpf can discuss why political betting is a more reliable method for predicting election outcome, how prediction markets work, why they are at risk and why they should be allowed to continue.
Election Expertise: Political betting • Election outcomes • Prediction market opportunities
Law
Margaret Taylor
Immigration
Margaret Taylor, professor of law, is renowned for her expertise in immigration detention policy and the deportation of criminal offenders. Her most recent essay in the Iowa Law Review Online, “Midnight Agency Adjudication: Attorney General Review of Board of Immigration Appeals Decisions” examines how agency heads expedite decisions on immigration cases during presidential transitions, raising concerns about rushed rulings, overturning precedents, and procedural fairness.
Election expertise: Immigration detention policy • Immigration law
History
Barry Trachtenberg
Jewish History
Barry Trachtenberg, professor of history, is the Rubin Presidential Chair of Jewish History and director of Jewish Studies Program at Wake Forest. A leading scholar of Jewish history, Trachtenberg can comment on the Holocaust and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For more than 20 years, his research and teaching have focused on the complexities of and controversies in American Jewish history; the Holocaust; Zionism, Israel and Palestine; and modern Yiddish culture.
Election Expertise: Jewish history • Israel and Palestine relations • Middle East • Gaza
Law
Steve Virgil
Welfare Reform
Steve Virgil, professor of law and director of experiential education, teaches courses on community economic development, poverty and the nonprofit sector. He has practiced law for nearly 20 years with an emphasis on community economic development and the nonprofit sector. His clients include nonprofit organizations of all sizes and scope, from neighborhood associations to major private foundations, and he maintains an active pro bono public interest litigation practice.
Election expertise: Welfare reform • Social policies and laws • economic development • Nonprofits
African American Studies
Corey D.B. Walker
Religion and Black Policy
Corey D.B. Walker, dean of Wake Forest University School of Divinity and director of the Program in African American Studies. He specializes in American and African American religion and can discuss social justice issues. Walker is an ordained American Baptist clergyperson. He preaches and teaches in congregations and universities nationwide and has published broadly on African American religion and philosophy, African American history and culture, and religion and American public life.
Election Expertise: Churches and religion | Social justice | Black politics
Economics
Robert Whaples
Labor Markets
Robert Whaples, professor of economics, researches the history of American labor markets. His recent research compares and contrasts the economic circumstances for Millennials and Gen Z. He has mapped the history of hours of work in the U.S. and can comment on pending legislation proposing a four-day work week. Whaples’s research on the cost for minting pennies and the call to eliminate them is regularly featured in the news. He can also comment on trade barriers, health insurance mandates and eliminating mortgage interest deductions.
Election Expertise: Economic policies • Inflation • Four-day work week • Elimination of the penny
Politics & International Affairs
Betina Cutaia Wilkinson
Latino Voters, Immigration Politics, Sports Activism
Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, associate professor of politics and international affairs, is an award-winning author who specializes in U.S. immigration policy and attitudes, sports activism, and U.S. and North Carolina Latino voters. In addition to offering insights on Latino political behavior, Wilkinson can comment on U.S. inter-race relations and immigration policies and its effects. As to her expertise in sports and politics, Wilkinson can discuss professional athletes’ political advocacy and the circumstances in which professional athletes and coaches can influence political perspectives and behavior.
Election expertise: Latino voters in N.C. |Latinos and U.S. politics | Immigration policy | Race relations | Sports and politics
Law
Ron Wright
Criminal Law
Ron Wright, professor of law, is one of the nation’s best-known criminal justice scholars. He is the co-author of two casebooks in criminal procedure and sentencing; his empirical research concentrates on the work of criminal prosecutors. He is a board member of the Prosecution and Racial Justice Project of the Vera Institute of Justice, and has been an advisor or board member for Families Against Mandatory Minimum Sentences, North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Inc., and the Winston-Salem Citizens’ Police Review Board.
Election expertise: Criminal procedure and sentencing • Criminal prosecutors • White-collar crime
Sociology
David Yamane
Gun Culture
David Yamane, professor of sociology, is a nationally recognized expert in American gun culture and policy. Yamane can provide insights about the nearly 100 million American civilians who own firearms. He can comment on first-time gun owners (who is buying and why), the challenges of addressing gun violence, and why guns are unlikely to be a decisive issue in the upcoming presidential race.
Election expertise: Gun ownership • Gun culture • Guns and gun violence • Guns and the election