KINGSTON, R.I. – Nov. 17, 2020 – It’s been two weeks since the national and statewide elections, but there are obviously many questions still to be answered. The following University of Rhode Island political science experts are available for media interviews on a variety of post-election issues, such as transition of power, election-result challenges, and the election outcome’s effect on policy issues.
Assistant Professor Christopher Parker is an expert on the U.S. Supreme Court, judicial politics, and national politics. His research has focused on analyzing the role of law, politics and ideology on the decision making of the U.S. court system, with a particular interest in how the judiciary treats issues of federalism, free speech, and the 4th Amendment. Among other issues, he can discuss election lawsuits brought by the Trump campaign, and what the election results mean to the makeup of Congress in terms of policymaking.
Since joining URI in fall 2019, Lecturer Emily Lynch’s teaching and research has centered on political psychology and communication, public opinion, and Congress. Lynch has been published in Journal of Communication and Political Behavior, and served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow for U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, working on education policy. Among other issues, Lynch can talk about politics at the state and national level, including issues around the transition of power and Congress, and the election’s effect on leadership at the state level and the 2022 gubernatorial race.
Assistant Professor Brendan Skip Mark is an expert in race and foreign policy. His research looks at the links between human rights, political economy, collective dissent, and empirical methodology. He is also co-director of the CIRIGHTS human rights data project. Among other matters, Skip can speak specifically on police behavior, protests and human rights, along with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and International Monetary Fund.
Associate Professor Aaron Ley’s primary research explores the intersection of law and policy, specifically the influence of environmental groups on the policymaking process. His research has appeared in such publications as Law & Society Review, Society & Natural Resources, Review of Policy Research, and Environmental Politics. Among other issues, Ley can talk about environmental policy going forward, as it applies to climate change, and also how federal and state policies affect municipalities.