Recent Tipsheets
Vanderbilt autism experts available for interviews on World Autism Day, April 2
A variety of Vanderbilt University experts are available for interviews on autism. The United Nations designated April 2 World Autism Day in November 2007. Vanderbilt has a campus broadcast facility with a dedicated fiber optic line for live TV interviews and a radio ISDN line.
Vanderbilt K-12 experts presenting new research about charter schools, drop-out rate and more in New York March 24-28
K-12 experts from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development will present their latest research March 24-28 in New York City at the American Educational Research Association’s annual conference.
Vanderbilt higher education experts presenting new research on community colleges, student retention and more in New York March 24-28
Higher education experts from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development will be presenting their latest research March 24-28 in New York City at the American Educational Research Association’s annual conference.
National Mathematics Advisory Panel vice chair available to discuss panel’s final report
Camilla P. Benbow, vice chair of President Bush’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel, is available to discuss the panel’s final report, which was presented to the president and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings March 13.
"Super Tuesday" Results: Vanderbilt experts
A central fact of the 2008 nomination process is that many citizens are undecided or have weakly held preferences, says Vanderbilt University political scientist John Geer.
Expect barrage of negative ads says Vanderbilt campaign expert
Voters should welcome an increase in political attack ads on the airwaves as the presidential nominating process moves into overdrive, says Vanderbilt University political scientist John Geer.
Performance pay, desegregation, No Child Left Behind made education headlines in 2007
Experts from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development are available to discuss 2007’s top education stories and what to expect in 2008.
Vanderbilt higher education experts available for back-to-school stories
Vanderbilt University higher education experts are available for back-to-school interviews on admissions, tuition, financial aid, rankings, higher education policy and reform, immigration and higher education, and more.
Vanderbilt Peabody education experts available for back-to-school stories
Education and child development experts from the Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development are available for back-to-school interviews. Peabody College was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 3 education school in the nation in 2007.
National Math Panel member available to talk about $43 billion global competitiveness bill to improve math/science eduation
Camilla P. Benbow, vice chair of President Bush’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel and a member of the National Science Board, is available to talk about the importance of funding math and science education to the United States’ ability to compete globally.
Vanderbilt expert: Polls in multi-candidate races should be viewed cautiously
Public opinion polls in the Nashville mayoral contest (and other multi-candidate races) should be analyzed with care because of the high potential for error, according to Vanderbilt Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer.
Vanderbilt expert can talk about the war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor will face 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity on June 4, accused of arming and supporting a rebel group responsible for horrendous atrocities including the murder, rape, mutilation and forced child labor of tens of thousands of people during the Sierra Leone civil war.
Supreme Court ruling on negative ads to affect presidential race: Vanderbilt expert
Today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling to allow issues ads funded by corporations and labor unions to air close to an election has major implications for the 2008 presidential campaign, according to Vanderbilt University political scientist John Geer.
Vanderbilt economist helps sway Supreme Court to overturn telecom antitrust lawsuit
The Supreme Court followed the advice of a Vanderbilt University professor and 25 other top antitrust economists and overturned the decision made by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on the telecom antitrust lawsuit Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly.
Vanderbilt expert can talk about the Supreme Court's decision on late-term abortions
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold a ban on a type of late-term abortion. The court found that the national Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, passed in 2003, does not violate a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion.
School violence experts available to comment on aftermath of Virginia Tech shootings
Vanderbilt researchers are available to offer insights on the potential circumstances surrounding school violence and the impact of the tragic April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech on students, faculty and staff.
Thompson must decide soon on presidential run, says Vanderbilt campaign expert
It is no surprise that Fred Thompson has jumped into third place nationally among GOP presidential contenders, even without declaring his candidacy, said Vanderbilt University political scientist John Geer. “Thompson is no stranger to the presidential sweepstakes, having considered but declining a run in 2000,” Geer said. “Given his exceptional campaigning skills and star power, buoyed by his acting career, he would be a formidable candidate. The big question is whether he could raise the funds needed for a presidential campaign. The answer is probably yes.”
Vanderbilt education experts presenting new research on student achievement, charter schools and more in Chicago April 9-13
Education experts from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development will be presenting their latest research April 9-13, 2007, in Chicago at the American Educational Research Association’s annual conference. Vanderbilt Peabody College was ranked as the No. 3 education school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2007 rankings of graduate schools.
Vanderbilt expert can talk about recent problems with airline customer dissatisfaction
“It’s time to regulate the airline industry; customers need a passengers’ bill of rights.” A recent massive snowstorm grounded and delayed hundreds of flights across the country. While many airlines found successful ways to handle the delays, some Jet Blue customers were trapped on planes for more than nine hours, with overflowing toilets. Other passengers were forced to camp out for days at airports, with no clear solution from Jet Blue. Airline expert
Michael Lapré believes this latest evidence of “massive miscalculations from the airlines,” shows that it is time for regulation.
Vanderbilt expert can speak about importance of Fisk paintings
Nashville stands to lose important works if sale goes through. Nashvillians should understand the stakes if paintings by
Georgia O’Keeffe and
Marsden Hartley are sold from the
Stieglitz Collection at
Fisk University to raise money for the university, says art historian
Vivien Green Fryd of
Vanderbilt University.
Think that conversation from your office phone is private? Think again
Vanderbilt professor says Wal-Mart case calls attention to employer’s right to eavesdrop on employee calls. News reports that a Wal-Mart employee taped telephone conversations between a
New York Times reporter and other Wal-Mart employees brings to light the practice of corporations who require employees to consent to company surveillance of calls made through company systems and equipment. Wal-Mart officials have said the employee in the recently reported case was not authorized to make the recordings and added that company policy restricts monitoring of employee communications to instances in which fraud or criminal activity is suspected. However, that policy is not a requirement. "We know from recent surveys by groups such as the
American Management Association and others that many firms do routinely monitor employee communications that employees might think is private, without cause of suspicion," says Bruce Barry, professor of management and sociology.
Education experts available to discuss reauthorization of No Child Left Behind
Vanderbilt University Peabody College of education and human development experts are available to discuss various aspects of No Child Left Behind as Congress considers its reauthorization in 2007.
Vanderbilt University political experts available for State of the Union analysis
President Bush will have a difficult time shifting the national conversation away from Iraq, believes presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz. Although his State of the Union may contain some interesting proposals on health care, energy and the environment, a conflict as politicized as the Iraq war will still dominate headlines.
Many of today’s students reach for a keyboard rather than a pencil to communicate their thoughts. But they just might be typing their way to the back of the class, according to
Vanderbilt writing expert
Steve Graham.
Saddam Hussein Execution: Vanderbilt expert back from Iraq
Vanderbilt University Law Professor Mike Newton is an expert on the Saddam Hussein trial and has just returned from his fourth trip to Iraq. Newton played a pivotal role in the creation of the Iraqi Special Tribunal and led the training for its judges, focusing on international criminal law. He currently advises the Iraqi tribunal and just returned from his latest trip to Baghdad. Newton is also a major contributor to the 2006 book, “Saddam on Trial: Understanding and Debating the Iraqi High Tribunal.”
Vanderbilt expert says airline mergers are inevitable
“Airline consolidation is inevitable,” says Michael Lapré, associate professor of management at Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management and an expert on the airline industry. Media reports say UAL Corporation, the parent company of United Airlines, is in preliminary talks with Continental Airlines about a possible merger. Lapré says airline mergers are unavoidable and, “a sensible idea to pursue.”
Vanderbilt expert says Mel Gibson film offers tired steroptypes about Maya civilization
Apocalypto continues tradition of inaccurately disparaging native cultures. The rich culture and complex intellectual achievements of Maya culture are ignored in Mel Gibson’s new film
Apocalypto in favor of stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans as “noble savages” or “evil Indians,” says
Annabeth Headrick, a
Vanderbilt University professor and expert on the Maya.
Vanderbilt experts available to comment on school shootings
Two experts on school violence and aggression are available to offer commentary on school shootings in Lancaster County, Pa., Wisconsin and Colorado and the school lockdowns in response to a gunman at two Las Vegas schools.
Vanderbilt experts available to comment on Secretary of Education's new plans for student aid, achievement and higher education accountability
Two higher education experts are available to offer commentary on Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling’s announcement today about the federal government’s new plans to track student progress, increase student aid and hold colleges more accountable for student achievement.
Japan's likely new prime minister will be strong U.S. ally
The stage is set for Shinzo Abe to become Japan’s new Prime Minister Sept. 26 following his election as the leader of the country’s ruling party. That choice bodes well for the U.S., says James Auer, Vanderbilt University expert on U.S.-Japan relations. Abe will prove to be an even stronger ally to the U.S. than the popular outgoing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, said Auer, director of the Center for U.S.-Japan Studies and Cooperation at Vanderbilt. “He favors changing Japan’s defense policy so that Japan can fight with the U.S. if U.S. forces are attacked, something not allowed now.”
Vanderbilt experts can discuss problems with Metro Nashville "English only" resolution
Two Vanderbilt Peabody College literacy and language experts are available to discuss why a resolution under consideration by the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County to ban the use of bilingual services by many Metro agencies will not help non-English speakers learn the language and could in fact further isolate them from speakers of English and necessary services.
Vanderbilt expert can discuss methods for improving graduation rate
Gov. Phil Bredesen’s new initiative to reduce the dropout rate is badly needed and well-timed, according to Vanderbilt Peabody College Professor of Special Education Carolyn Hughes.
Vanderbilt neuroscientist can discuss what Star Trek taught us about the brain, science for show's 40th anniversary
The much-loved and long-running science fiction series Star Trek introduced viewers to plenty of fantastical ideas—from the Borg to Vulcan mind melds to a transporter that could beam humans across space. But behind the lscience fiction lay quite a bit of real science, according to Vanderbilt University psychologist Randolph Blake.
Vanderbilt University expert available on Pluto
David Weintraub, professor of
astronomy at Vanderbilt University, is the author of the upcoming book
Is Pluto a Planet?, to be released in the fall by Princeton University Press. In the book, Weintraub argues that Pluto, and many other celestial objects, should be considered planets, contrary to the International Astronomical Union’s vote Aug. 24 in Prague.
Impact of Castro on the Cuban political landscape
Vanderbilt experts Mitch Seligson and Jane Landers are available to discuss the impact of Fidel Castro on the Cuban political landscape.
2006 Tennessee U.S. Senate Race
Tough primary could work to GOP’s advantage. The conventional view is that the increasingly bitter battle among the Republican candidates in the Tennessee Senate race will hurt the GOP nominee. John Geer disagrees, saying the divisive primary campaign could prove to be a boon for the nominee. He will be battle-tested with an organization that is well oiled and ready for the general election. Geer says that while there will be concern about the increasing number of attack ads at the end of the campaign, they can provide valuable information to help voters sort out the candidates. Ed Bryant, Bob Corker and Van Hilleary share many similar views, so attack ads could help highlight key differences.
Additional experts are available on this topic.
Vanderbilt University experts available on the immigration debate
Robert Barsky, editor of AmeriQuests and professor of French and comparative literature, looks at refugee, border and migration issues. He is working on a research project about inmates held for immigration concerns and can speak about the proposal to make first entry a felony. Dan Cornfield, professor of sociology, can discuss how “new destination cities” in the interior states are integrating immigrants into their communities. Carol Swain, professor of political science and law, can discuss the societal problems she says will result from the various proposals on immigration pending before Congress. Robert Jimenez leads a group of researchers exploring Mexican language and literacy practices in response to concerns that Mexican children and children of Mexican origin in the United States are not developing necessary or desired levels of literacy. A noted astronomer, Keivan Stassun is passionate about introducing others – particularly young people and minorities – to the excitement of astronomy and is working to develop programs that facilitate training and inclusion of ethnic minorities, women and others who are have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences.
States’ bans on abortion gain momentum, but are they constitutional?
Following recently signed legislation banning almost all abortions in South Dakota, several other states are considering similar legislation, setting up a possible challenge to Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court. Suzanna Sherry, Cal Turner Professor of Law and Leadership at Vanderbilt Law School, is available to discuss the constitutional status of any of these laws and whether the constitutional doctrine might change with the new Roberts court.
Vanderbilt experts available to discuss math and science education and research Educators and researchers have reacted with both enthusiasm and skepticism to President Bush’s State of the Union call to improve America’s competitiveness in math and science. Vanderbilt education and science experts are available to discuss what it will take to stop the United States’ slide towards scientific and mathematic irrelevancy on the global stage.
Super Bowl Advertising: Vanderbilt Expert
While Super Bowl ads often beat the game itself for entertainment value, they wouldn’t be effective any other day of the year, says Jennifer Escalas, associate professor at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management and an expert on consumer research and advertising.
Vanderbilt University political experts available for State of the Union analysis
George W. Bush has an important primetime opportunity to regain some presidential momentum by delivering a compelling State of the Union address, according to Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer. “Stay the course” won’t cut it when President Bush discusses U.S. foreign policy in Iraq during his State of the Union address, says Vanderbilt presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz. Democrats are expected to blast the president on several issues after his State of the Union address in hopes of weakening him – and weakening his party for the November elections, says Christian Grose, a Vanderbilt expert on Congress.
Vanderbilt experts can speak about Christmas, Kwanzaa
Christians looking to “save” Christmas from creeping secular humanism by threatening lawsuits should give some thought to what the central figure of the holiday would make of the controversy, says John Thatamanil, assistant professor of theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Kwanzaa has grown to become an important annual celebration to African-American families since its inception in 1966, says Frank Dobson, director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University.
C.I.A. leak case draws parallels to Iran Contra: Vanderbilt presidential historian
The C.I.A. leak case has brought renewed scrutiny of the Bush administration’s decision to go to war in Iraq, and there are historical parallels to the Reagan administration’s foreign policy during the Iran-Contra scandal, according to Vanderbilt University Professor of History Thomas Alan Schwartz.
Saddam Hussein Trial: Vanderbilt Experts
Mike Newton, acting associate clinical professor of law at Vanderbilt University, is an expert on the Iraqi Special Tribunal and international criminal law. Allison Danner, associate professor of law at Vanderbilt, is an expert in the law, procedure and design of international criminal tribunals.
Supreme Court: Vanderbilt Expert
Suzanna Sherry, Cal Turner Professor of Law and Leadership at Vanderbilt Law School, is available to discuss the recent changes to the Supreme Court, including the appointment of John Roberts as chief justice. Stefanie Lindquist, associate professor of law and political science at Vanderbilt University, is an expert on the politics surrounding Supreme Court nominations.
Airline Troubles: Vanderbilt Expert
Michael Lapré, assistant professor of management at the Vanderbilt Owen School of Management, is availabe to discuss contributing factors to the declarations of bankruptcy by Northwest and Delta.
Hurricane Disaster Experts
Vanderbilt experts are available to discuss a variety of issues related to the impact of Hurricane Katrina, from emergency response planning and emergency preparedness, to crisis decision making and looting, to the economic impact of the disaster and more.
Vanderbilt experts available for back-to-school stories on childhood obesity, bullying, managing stress and more
Vanderbilt experts are available to discuss a variety of issues associated with sending kids back to school.
Voting Rights Act resonates today: Vanderbilt black history expert
Need for federal protection of voters remains relevant issue: Given the flurry of new voting requirements in Georgia, Indiana, Ohio and other states, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 still resonates today with its continued protection of those engaged in elections, says Devin Fergus, a Vanderbilt University expert on 20th century African-American political history.
Rift within the AFL-CIO: Vanderbilt University labor expert available
Dan Cornfield, Vanderbilt University labor expert and professor of sociology, says the labor unions’ split is not a power grab, but a response to the AFL-CIO’s not giving priority to recruiting low-wage workers.
Impact of changes to the Supreme Court: Vanderbilt Expert
Suzanna Sherry, Cal Turner Professor of Law and Leadership at Vanderbilt Law School, is available to discuss what effect the appointment of a new justice will have on the makeup of the Supreme Court, including how John Roberts, if confirmed, would differ from Sandra Day O'Connor and what difference it will make for the high court to have only one female member.
Supreme Court Nominee: Vanderbilt Expert
The politics of the Supreme Court appointment: Stefanie Lindquist, associate professor of law and political science at Vanderbilt University, is an expert on the politics surrounding Supreme Court nominations.
O'Connor retirement: Vanderbilt Experts
Suzanna Sherry, Cal Turner Professor of Law and Leadership at Vanderbilt Law School, is available to discuss what effect Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement will have on the Supreme Court, the cases in which she's had the most impact and how she's left her mark on the court.
Stefanie Lindquist, associate professor of law and political science, can discuss the politics surrounding judicial appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Moderates, not Frist, were winners in Senate compromise, says Vanderbilt congressional expert
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist “drew a line in the sand and the line got blurred,” according to a Vanderbilt political scientist who writes extensively about Congress. Bruce Oppenheimer believes that the outcome of the controversy over the judicial filibuster – a compromise worked out among moderate Democrats and Republicans – will raise new questions about Frist’s ability to deliver the Republican votes for key White House priorities.
Should the filibuster die when it comes to judicial appointments? Vanderbilt expert says no
With the showdown approaching in the Senate over President Bush’s judicial nominations along with a threat to do away with the filibuster on judicial appointments, a Vanderbilt University political science and law professor says, “efforts to eliminate the filibuster constitute an end-run around procedures that ensure moderate rather than extreme judicial appointments.”
Fall of Saigon 30th Anniversary expert
The departure of the last U.S. helicopters from an embassy roof in Saigon on April 30, 1975, remains a potent and contested symbol for Americans today, according to Vietnam historian Thomas Schwartz.
Congress "plays politics" in Terri Schiavo case: Vanderbilt expert Calling congressional action in the Terri Schiavo case “purely political” with no legal basis, Stefanie Lindquist, Vanderbilt University associate professor of political science and law, says she is not surprised by a federal judge’s ruling to deny the request to reinsert Schiavo’s feeding tube.
Legacy of Pope John Paul II Expert As the health of Pope John Paul II has become an issue, Vanderbilt University faculty members J. Patout Burns and Fernando Segovia are prepared to talk about the legacy of the 84-year-old pontiff who has led the Catholic Church for 26 years.
The new SAT essay expert Thanks in part to the handwritten essay that will be required for the first time this year as part of the new SAT, students’ handwriting skills are back on the radar, says Steve Graham, Currey Ingram Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University.
Howard Dean and the Democratic Party experts Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer is available to discuss why Howard Dean is a good choice to chair the Democratic National Committee, while sociologist Dan Cornfield can offer insight on how Democrats should shape their platform as they look to 2008.
State of the Union address experts Vanderbilt experts can address various topics that will likely be the subject of President Bush's upcoming State of the Union speech, among them Social Security reform, class action lawsuit reform, immigration and No Child Left Behind.
Super Bowl advertising expert While Super Bowl ads often beat the game itself for entertainment value, they wouldn’t be effective any other day of the year, says Jennifer Escalas, associate professor of management at Vanderbilt University’s business school.
Bush second term experts Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer and historian Thomas Schwartz are available to discuss the issues the offer both opportunity and challenge for George W. Bush's second term.
Year-in-review experts Vanderbilt experts are available to comment on the top stories of 2004, from the presidential election to Martha Stewart and even the 17-year cicadas, as well as what they see as critical issues in their fields for 2005.
Christmas and Kwanzaa experts Consumerism has overtaken compassion as a hallmark of the Christmas holiday, says John Thatamanil, assistant professor of theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School, while Kwanzaa has grown to become an important annual celebration to African-American families since its inception in 1966, says Frank Dobson, director of Vanderbilt's Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center.
Clinton library expert Vanderbilt presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz anticipates that the Clinton presidential library will become a vibrant meeting place for Democrats looking to revivie their party, especially in the South.
Yasser Arafat legacy mixed; early hope followed by years of failure History will record Yasser Arafat as a crafty leader who rallied the once demoralized Palestinian cause, only to outlive his era and spend his final years as a failure, says David Wasserstein, professor of history and Jewish studies at Vanderbilt University.
GOP Senate wins raise expectations for Frist While the Republican gains in the U.S. Senate should make Majority Leader Bill Frist's job somewhat easier, Vanderbilt political scientist Bruce Oppenheimer predicts the Tennessee senator will face higher expectations of achievement.
A repeat of 2000? Courts might play role in presidential race A legacy of the 2000 election is the increased likelihood that the 2004 and subsequent presidential races will end up in the courts, says Suzanna Sherry, Cal Turner Professor of Law and Leadership at Vanderbilt University.
Bush and Kerry should talk about immigration In post-Sept. 11 America, prisons are increasingly holding people, some of them indefinitely, for reasons of security, asylum and migration. But neither George Bush nor John Kerry is talking about immigration issues, which "should be at the very forefront of the debates," says Robert Barsky, an immigration issues expert and Vanderbilt University professor. This tipsheet includes a round up of all election experts.
Next president could have significant impact on makeup of Supreme Court There has not been a personnel change on the Supreme Court in 10 years – the longest the body has gone unchanged since the 1820s. If President George W. Bush replaces a liberal justice or Sen. John Kerry replaces a conservative justice, there is a significant opportunity for change within this closely divided Supreme Court, says Suzanna Sherry, Cal Turner Professor of Law and Leadership at Vanderbilt University.
Southern politics scholar advises “Don’t write off the South” A good performance in the vice presidential debate by Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina could be a factor in a win by Kerry on Nov. 2 in one or more Southern states, making the race for electoral votes "very uncomfortable for Republicans," says Kareem Crayton, an instructor at Vanderbilt Law School who studies issues of election law and political representation.
Vanderbilt students offer unique perspective from VP debate floor at Case Western Reserve University
The nationally televised debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards will be the only opportunity voters have to see the vice presidential candidates go head to head before the election, and a trio of Vanderbilt University students will experience the action live from the debate floor.
Independent voters “nudged” in Kerry’s direction following first debate John Geer, professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, says while Bush and Kerry supporters were not persuaded to move away from their candidate of choice, independents might well have been “nudged” in Kerry’s direction after last night’s debate.
Expert available to comment on American gymnast Paul Hamm's chances on keeping his gold medal Allan Erbsen, a Vanderbilt fellow and instructor at Vanderbilt Law School, says that South Korean officials waited too late to protest when some judges mistakenly shaved 0.100 off Young’s score.
Experts available to comment on presidential debates Anne Demo, assistant professor of communications, says as the challenger, John Kerry faces an uphill battle that is made more difficult by the Bush campaign's success in framing Kerry as indecisive. Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, says "Bush must be careful not to feed into the Democratic picture of him as out of touch on and living in a fantasy world on Iraq."
Expert available to comment on Bush's practice of invoking God to justify war James Byrd, assistant dean at Vanderbilt Divinity School, says that President George W. Bush is part of a long American tradition when he invokes God as part of his reasoning for the war in Iraq.
Expert available to comment on the South's role in 2004 presidential race While more Southern states are likely to be red than blue this November, the Democrats' campaign strategy may succeed by carrying just a few Southern states, says Vanderbilt Fellow Kareem Crayton.
Expert available to comment on recent sentencing of Peter Bacanovic Larry Soderquist, professor of law at Vanderbilt University and director of the Corporate and Securities Law Institute, says the sentence handed down against Peter Bacanovic, while largely equal to the one of his client Martha Stewart, leaves him in a very different predicament--one that may make him think twice about testifying against Stewart.
Expert available to comment on recent Martha Stewart sentencing Larry Soderquist, professor of law at Vanderbilt University and director of the Corporate and Securities Law Institute, says he isn't surprised that Martha Stewart got a very lenient sentence from Judge Miriam Cedarbaum. "She was clearly going to prison-for no judge would let a corporate criminal escape prison in this climate," he says.
Experts available to comment on John Kerry's VP decision
Vanderbilt politicial scientists John Geer and Bruck Oppenheimer are available to discuss what John Edwards brings to John Kerry's presidential campaign.
Expert available to comment on Martha Stewart's chances for retrial or reduced sentence
What are Martha Stewart's chances for retrial or reduced sentence? Larry Soderquist, professor of law at Vanderbilt University and director of the Corporate and Securities Law Institute, says perjury charges against government witness Larry Stewart would not have any bearing on the decision.
Experts available to comment on 2004 elections Vanderbilt political scientists John Geer, Thomas Schwartz and Bruce Barry are available to discuss various aspects of the 2004 presidential elections.
Experts on war and terrorism Vanderbilt experts are available to talk about a variety of topics related to war and terrorism.
Expert available to comment on cicadas Vanderbilt University mathematician Glenn Webb is available to discuss what is so magical about the number 17 for Brood X cicadas, emerging by the billions this month across the Eastern and Southeastern United States.
Expert available to comment on impetus for trial against Martha Stewart Is Martha Stewart really on trial for saying she's innocent? Larry Soderquist, professor of law at Vanderbilt University and director of the Corporate and Securities Law Institute, says she isn't. "There's been a lot made of her supposedly being on trial for not being truthful when she said she did nothing wrong," Soderquist says. Soderquist can comment on the particulars of securities fraud, as well as Stewart's legal team.
Experts available to comment on The Passion of the Christ Vanderbilt Divinity School faculty members are available to comment on a variety of issues related to this film, including the biblical and historical Jesus, Jesus in film and anti-Semitism.
Experts on manned missions to the Moon and Mars Vanderbilt University professors, including a former astronaut, can add context to your stories on President Bush's plans to send astronauts to the Moon and to Mars.
Expert on Haiti immigration issues Robert Barsky is founding editor of Ameriquest, a new Vanderbilt University journal that focuses on dislocation and relocation in America. He is available to comment on the ramifications of a likely influx of Haitians wanting to enter the United States and Canada as a result of the unstable poltical climate in Haiti.
Expert on the future of juries Nancy J. King, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University and an expert on anonymous juries, is available to explain the various approaches the judges in the Martha Stewart, Tyco and Quattrone trials took and why the use of an anonymous jury poses less of a threat to the First Amendment than gag orders or closed proceedings.
Moving past medication: alternatives to antidepressants for depressed youth Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator Judy Garber can speak about options for parents in helping their teens safely handle and treat depression.
International criminal court expert Allison Danner, assistant professor of law at Vanderbilt University, is an expert in the law, procedure and design of international criminal tribunals. She can explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various systems through which Saddam Hussein's trial may take place—from a purely Iraqi-led criminal tribunal to the International Criminal Court.
Expert on transition in Georiga David Onoprishvili, minister of finance under Eduard Shevardnadze from 1998 to 2000, is available to comment about the resignation of Shevardnadze, the transition now underway and the presidential election in the former Soviet Union republic of Georgia.
