The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews this week surrounding issues in the news. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu.

Virginia Tech experts available to discuss headlines in the news

Election experts available as campaigns make final case

With just days to go until Election Day, the races for President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives all sit within the margin of polling error. As these races reach the final stretch, Virginia Tech has a host of political experts who can offer insights on the election:

  • Karen Hult, professor of political science, is an expert on Virginia voting, early voting, prospects for state races in 2025, and presidential transitions.

  • Cayce Myers, professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the School of Communication, studies text messaging, political campaigns, celebrity endorsements, media strategy, social media, VA voting, VA congressional campaigns, and early voting.

  • Farida Jalalzai, associate dean for global initiatives and engagement in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and professor of political science, can speak to stories about gender/race and women voters, or how gender affects voting in the presidential election for men and women.

  • Chad Hankinson, lecturer of political science, can offer insights into presidential candidates and elections.

How important are endorsements in swaying voters?

Presidential endorsements have taken center stage in the closing weeks of the campaign. Some prominent Republicans have crossed party lines to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, along with a number of A-list celebrities, while two of the nation’s three biggest newspapers took the unusual step of abstaining from issuing an endorsement. But how much do these endorsements sway voters?  “Celebrity endorsements work best on getting people who are disengaged - like Gen Z - from the political process to pay attention, effectively widening the audience,” says communications professor Megan Duncan. More here.

Looking for election insights? Don’t overlook real estate values

With an election as unpredictable as any in recent memory, perhaps the “homevoter” phenomenon could offer some insight into what to expect. Sherwood Clements, professor of real estate, studied 30 years of data and found that counties with superior house price performance in the four years preceding an election are more likely to “vote-switch” to the incumbent party, while counties with inferior house price performance in the four years leading up to the election are more likely to switch its vote from the incumbent to the challenging party. More here.

What does the surge in early voting mean?


Millions of Americans already have cast their votes in the 2024 election. Early voting can provide a boost to Election Day voting, and it’s especially important in swing states because of their outsized impact on the election and potentially razor-thin margins, says political campaign expert, Cayce Myers. Traditionally early voting has favored Democrats. But this year, Donald Trump and the Republican party encouraged supporters to vote early, resulting in what appears to be a stronger early voting showing than in the past, Myers says. “It's difficult to know what the impact of this will be, but there is a thought that if Republicans show up early that means turnout will be high in support of Trump,” he says.

FBI warns of election disinformation

The FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have issued a warning about efforts by foreign actors trying to spread disinformation ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Justin Monday, an assistant professor of practice in Business Information Technology and retired U.S. Air Force cyber operations officer, is available to speak on the potential threats, what elections officials can do, and his research surrounding election cybersecurity. 

***Monday is available Oct. 30, Nov. 1, and election week.***

It’s almost time to fall back - Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3

Come Sunday, everyone will get an extra hour of sleep thanks to the end of daylight saving time for the year. Many people will also be driving longer at night, which could translate to more driver fatigue and hazards on the road, says Virginia Tech Transportation Institute expert Matt Camden. Camden says that any time change can exacerbate drowsiness and your body may need a few days to adjust accordingly. He offers the following advice for drivers to avoid fatigue. Matt is available Wednesday - Friday this week. More here.

Expert advice for mindful Halloween candy eating

Halloween candy is everywhere. If you have kids in your home, the amount of candy around you may double or triple by Halloween night, and that’s not counting the bowl that made its way into your office — for guests, of course. This is only the beginning of candy season: we see you, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. How do you make sure you’re not mindlessly filling up on all the extra sweet treats? Samantha Harden, associate professor and exercise specialist in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, encourages us to enjoy the flavors of the season while remaining mindful and prioritizing movement. More here.

Pets and Halloween candy

As Halloween approaches and you start decorating your home with jack-o'-lanterns and spooky decorations, it's important to consider how this festive season might affect our furry friends. While you may know to keep candy out of paw's reach, there are many other less apparent considerations for pet safety during Halloween. The veterinarians with Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine are available to share tips to help ensure pets have a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience. More here.

What makes ghost stories perfect for Halloween?

Come Halloween season, many people love a good ghost story, but not all ghost stories are scary, nor were ghost stories as we know them and Halloween always so closely connected. Virginia Tech English department instructor Ingrid Johnson provides insights into how Halloween and ghost stories became so intertwined. “Ghost stories can be found in cultures across space and time. They were told for various purposes. In some cases, ghost stories were used to promote good behavior,” she says. “In other instances, they were used to explain death, just as certain gods were used to explain natural phenomena.” Read more here.



From tricks to treats: Virginia Tech experts share pumpkin care tips


As autumn sets in, orange and gold leaves paint the landscape and pumpkins arrive on front doorsteps. As a quintessential symbol for the season, pumpkins not only add charm but also require proper care to last. Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture Extension agents Ashley Edwards and Sarah Sharpe share their expert advice on choosing, preserving, and repurposing your pumpkins this fall. More here.


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