April Sources of the Month

04/03/2017

UMass Lowell’s world-class faculty, researchers and scholars provide concise and thought-provoking insight on current events for print, radio and TV journalists in need of authoritative sources. Relatable and engaging, experts are available in person, by phone or email to speak on topics in fields including health, science, education, business, social sciences and humanities. 

This month’s hot topics and featured sources are: 

The March for Science – Researchers are preparing to walk out of the lab and into the streets on Earth Day, April 22, in response President Trump’s executive orders to roll back regulations and Republican plans to slash funding for environmental programs. UMass Lowell faculty can provide analysis on how they believe the current political climate will affect the health of the planet and their work. They include:

• Joel Tickner, an expert on safer alternatives to toxic substances in products and production methods. Tickner founded the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council – a network of 100 major retailers and brands dedicated to manufacturing safer products – and can talk about how businesses are responding to the president’s approach. Tickner plans to participate in the march and can also offer his perspective on the event. He can conduct interviews in both English and Spanish. 
• Christopher Niezrecki, a clean energy expert who can discuss why it is more important than ever to develop solar, wind and hydropower, along with other renewable energy that reduces carbon emissions. 

Autism – April is National Autism Awareness Month, which promotes understanding of the estimated 1 in 68 children diagnosed with the disorder. Experts in the UMass Lowell Center for Autism Research and Education (CARE) can talk about autism’s increasing prevalence and misconceptions about the disorder; resources for teachers and parents educating and caring for children with autism; and the challenges faced by college students with autism and adults in the workplace, among other topics.   

Prom season parenting – Doreen Arcus, parenting and relationship expert. Arcus can offer insight on how parents can set limits on what their high-schoolers expect them to spend on the prom and how to come to agreement on what prom-goers should wear, helping families manage teens’ expectations for the big night. She is an expert on the social development of children and adolescents, particularly in relation to their families, schools and communities.

For a complete list of UMass Lowell experts by topic, see www.uml.edu/experts and click on the menu on the upper left corner of the page. The university’s media relations team is ready to help connect you. Contact Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu.