March Madness: U-M experts available as candidates vie for voters in debates, primary

February 25, 2016
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U.S. presidential candidates will descend on Michigan in March to attract voters and solidify their base. GOP candidates travel to Detroit for a March 3 debate, while Democratic candidates make their way to Flint for their debate March 6.

Add to the schedule the Michigan Primary on March 8, and it becomes a political version of March Madness for the state of Michigan. The University of Michigan has experts to offer their insights on the political scene.

DEBATES

Aaron Kall, director of the U-M Debate Program and Debate Institute

Contact: 734-239-3996, akall@umich.edu


Robin Queen is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and chair of the Department of Linguistics. Her research includes language and mass media.

Contact: 734-764-0353, rqueen@umich.edu

 

DEBATE ISSUES: FLINT

Drinking Water Quality and Treatment

Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health, has 20 years of experience in microbial risk assessment work focused on water quality.

Contact: (734) 764-5435, jnse@umich.edu


Glen Daigger is a professor of engineering practice with broad expertise in urban water management and water treatment technologies.

Contact: 734-647-3217, gdaigger@umich.edu


Environmental Justice

Paul Mohai, professor of natural resources and environment, has conducted numerous studies examining disproportionate environmental burdens in low-income and people of color communities in Michigan and nationally.

Contact: 734-763-4598, pmohai@umich.edu

 

DEBATE ISSUES: DETROIT

Economy

Donald Grimes, senior research associate at Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy, conducts annual economic forecasts for Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties in Michigan. Detroit is in Wayne County.

Contact: 941-876-6422, dgrimes@umich.edu


Education

Percy Bates is a professor of education and director of Programs for Educational Opportunity, which works with school districts throughout the Great Lakes region to help improve education quality for underserved minorities.

Contact: 734-647-1666, pbates@umich.edu


Urban Development

Margaret Dewar, professor of urban and regional planning, can discuss housing and community development, urban environmental planning and urban land use.

Contact: 734-763-2528, medewar@umich.edu

 

MICHIGAN PRIMARY

Vincent Hutchings, professor of political science, is an expert on public opinion, elections, voting behavior and African-American politics.

Contact: 734-764-6591, vincenth@umich.edu


Arthur Lupia, the Hal R. Varian Collegiate Professor of Political Science and a research professor at the Center for Political Studies, examines how people make decisions when they lack information and in how they manage complex information flows.

Contact: 734-647-7549, lupia@umich.edu, Twitter: @ArthurLupia


Nicholas Valentino, professor of communication studies and political science and a research professor at the Center for Political Studies, is an expert on race and politics, and political psychology.

Contact: 734-647-4302, nvalenti@umich.edu


Michael Traugott, professor emeritus of communication studies and political studies and research professor emeritus at the Center of Political Studies, is a nationally recognized expert in political communication and polls.

Contact: 734-763-4702, mtrau@umich.edu

 

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