Faculty Experts
On Topic
Wake Forest University professors share their expertise on timely and relevant topics. Watch the short videos and then read the Q&As for a deeper dive.
Journalists looking for a Wake Forest expert to comment for a news story: contact media@wfu.edu.
Heat waves are here. Can tomatoes keep up?
Biology Professor Gloria Muday studies how heat affects fruit growth and how certain tomato varieties can withstand the stress.
Watch Video for “Heat waves are here. Can tomatoes keep up?” | Read Q&A for “Heat waves are here. Can tomatoes keep up?”
Who’s remembering to buy the eggs?
Professor of Management Julie Wayne studies the “invisible family load” and who carries it. Her research confirms what many parents already know: women carry more of this load than men. She has also found that the work causes fatigue and stress.
Watch Video for “Who’s remembering to buy the eggs?” | Read Q&A for “Who’s remembering to buy the eggs?”
What’s fueling wildfires in the Southeast?
Civil and environmental engineering professor Lauren Lowman explains the essential role fire plays in the region and how extreme weather affects wildfires.
Watch Video for “What’s fueling wildfires in the Southeast?” | Read Q&A for “What’s fueling wildfires in the Southeast?”
Multitasking? Maybe not.
Think you’re multitasking when you scroll and study? You’re actually switching focus, and it comes at a cost. Wake Forest psychology professor Anthony Sali explains what happens when your brain switches tasks.
Watch Video for “Multitasking? Maybe not.” | Read Q&A for “Multitasking? Maybe not.”
Teens aren’t the problem. Stereotypes are.
Psychology Professor Christy Buchanan explains how bias can shape what adults notice in teens and why parents still matter more than the stereotypes suggest.
Watch Video for “Teens aren’t the problem. Stereotypes are.” | Read Q&A for “Teens aren’t the problem. Stereotypes are.”
The plastic problem: How to solve it
Plastic is everywhere and it’s not going away. Wake Forest Law professor Sarah Morath explains why our plastic problem is so persistent and what individuals and lawmakers can do to start solving it.
Watch Video for “The plastic problem: How to solve it” | Read Q&A for “The plastic problem: How to solve it”
It’s not just anxiety, it’s Zozobra
Philsophy Professor Francisco Gallegos explains Zozobra, a concept from Mexican philosophy that describes the emotional disorientation many experience during moments of change. Understanding it could help us find connection and meaning together.
Watch Video for “It’s not just anxiety, it’s Zozobra” | Read Q&A for “It’s not just anxiety, it’s Zozobra”
The movie ‘Hoop Dreams’ still resonates after 30 years
More than a game, more than a film—30 years ago, Hoop Dreams changed documentary storytelling forever. Professor Peter Gilbert, who brought the film to life as its producer and cinematographer, reflects on its legacy and the realities of chasing a dream.
Watch Video for “The movie ‘Hoop Dreams’ still resonates after 30 years” | Read Q&A for “The movie ‘Hoop Dreams’ still resonates after 30 years”
How gaming is creating classical music fans
Professor, orchestra director and gamer J. Aaron Hardwick shares why video game music deserves a place in the concert hall.
Watch Video for “How gaming is creating classical music fans” | Read Q&A for “How gaming is creating classical music fans”
Is America in a housing crisis?
Housing costs are soaring, and access to stable housing is becoming more difficult at every economic level. Associate professor of Anthropology Sherri Lawson Clark studies how to measure and improve housing stability.
Watch Video for “Is America in a housing crisis?” | Read Q&A for “Is America in a housing crisis?”
Why eliminating the penny makes sense
For more than two decades, Economics Professor Robert Whaples has advocated for an end to the penny. Find out why.
Watch Video for “Why eliminating the penny makes sense” | Read Q&A for “Why eliminating the penny makes sense”
The Conversation
Wake Forest professors regularly contribute articles to The Conversation, an independent, non-profit media outlet that brings academic work to broad audiences. They have garnered millions of views and been featured in The Washington Post, Fast Company, Scientific American and other prominent news outlets.
More Wake Forest Experts
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Heat waves are here. Can tomatoes keep up?
While nothing says “summer” quite like the taste of a perfectly ripe tomato, excessive heat during the growing season can prevent tomato plants from bearing…
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Who’s remembering to buy the eggs?
The mental work of managing a family is hard, but research shows some upsides. Parents often feel overwhelmed by the mental and emotional work involved…
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As classic film ‘Sunset Boulevard’ celebrates its 75th, WFU expert’s new book garners national attention
In “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), Gloria Swanson plays a faded star of the silent screen, Norma Desmond, who lives in her decaying mansion in Los Angeles.…
Wake Forest Experts
in the News
Major national and regional news organizations regularly interview Wake Forest faculty, staff, and students for their expertise and perspectives on current events, and to feature programs and activities on campus.
Academic Excellence
Wake Forest students and faculty play a vital role in addressing global challenges, from advancing medical breakthroughs to shaping ethical leadership and sustainable innovation.