Experts available on the 2016 Election

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta University faculty experts are available to provide real-time insight, research and analysis on a range of issues – including voter behavior, terrorism and immigration – related to the 2016 Presidential Election. To arrange an interview with an expert, contact the Department of Media Relations at (706) 721-3893 or mediarelations@augusta.edu.

Political Behavior

Gregg Murray, chair of the department of Political Science, writes the popular Psychology Today blog, Caveman Politics. Executive director of Association for Politics and the Life Sciences, Murray’s research focuses on the intersection of political behavior and evolutionary theory. He is available to discuss latest political research, including voting and voter turnout, the difficulty of electing a third-party candidate (video) and terrorism.

Terrorism

Craig Albert, assistant professor of Political Science, is a national expert in American politics and foreign affairs who teaches courses on war, terrorism and American politics. His research focuses on Islamic extremism, the rise of ISIS (video), and ethnic conflict. He has appeared on national media broadcasts, including a live interview segment with Megyn Kelly for Fox News Channel about the Boston Marathon bombers, and has also testified to the U.S. Congress on Islamic Extremism.

Lance Hunter, assistant professor of Political Science, is a leading scholar in international relations and comparative politics. His research has examined the effects of terrorism on voter turnout, civil liberties and political rights (article). He teaches courses on international relations, security studies and research methods. He’s available to discuss the effects of terrorism in the U.S. and democratic countries worldwide.

Public Administration

William Hatcher, associate professor of Political Science and director of the Master of Public Administration program, is a leading researcher in community development, public finance, state government and Southern politics. He’s available to comment on whether the government can be run like a business (video), challenges to economic development, and health policy.

Immigration 

Heather Abdelnur, associate professor of History, is a leading scholar in Latin American history and underrepresented populations in Central America (video). Her research reflects her interdisciplinary background in history, anthropology and Latin American studies. She is available to discuss Latin American immigration to the U.S., the history of Latino populations in the U.S. and issues surrounding a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Political Communication

Martha Ginn, associate professor of Political Science and Public Administration, teaches courses on judicial process, constitutional law and American government. Her research focuses on media coverage of elections (article), judicial decision-making, and public opinion of the judiciary, particularly the United States Supreme Court.

Education

Zach Kelehear is the dean of the College of Education at Augusta University, where faculty have worked with the department of Political Science to develop and release a free curriculum designed to engage students in political science and civics (article). During his career, Kelehear has been a college professor, a personnel director, staff development director, and a teacher and coach in high school and middle school. He is available to comment on stories including how to talk to children and young people about the contentious presidential election and the candidates’ plans for America’s schools.