RESEARCH
SOUTHWEST A HOTSPOT FOR FLASH FLOOD CONSEQUENCES, RESEARCH SHOWS — The worst region for flash floods in the continental United States is likely the Southwest, according to a recent analysis of flash floods by UA. Using hydrologic data along with socio-economic information, researchers at the UA Center for Complex Hydrosystems, led by center director Dr. Hamid Moradkhani, mapped the hotspots for flash floods. They found the most severe effects from flash floods occur in a string of counties along the U.S.-Mexico border from Texas to California, including areas much further north in New Mexico, Arizona and even Nevada, according to the study published in Scientific Reports. For assistance, contact Adam Jones in UA communications at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
BEST BETS
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT UA — To celebrate the month, UA’s Women and Gender Resource Center has a lineup of events focusing on 100 years of women’s suffrage. “This year is particularly important because it’s the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and when white women gained the right to vote,” said Jaclyn Northrup, assistant director of the center. “Certainly with the passage of the 19th amendment, everyone should have had the right to vote, but with those who are disenfranchised, they experience more obstacles than others.” For more information, contact Jamon Smith at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956.
CYBER SECURITY EDUCATION GETS BOOST – With a new bachelor’s degree and a prestigious national scholarship program now offered on campus, UA is accelerating its efforts to prepare students for the growing field of cyber security. The initiatives will not only enhance the experience of interested students, but they will improve sectors such as military and defense industries critical to the state’s economy. For more details, contact Adam Jones in UA communications at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
SUPER TUESDAY — Voters from 14 states will head to the polls Tuesday to help select a Democratic presidential nominee, among other things. “Tuesday will be the most important day of the 2020 primary season,” says Dr. Richard Fording, UA professor of political science. He says he’s most interested in seeing if Bernie Sanders will run away with the nomination, the effects of Michael Bloomberg’s media saturation strategy and the insight the Alabama Republican Senate primary races provides on the extent of Donald Trump’s coattails. “Although Bloomberg is unlikely to win any states, he could do well enough to prevent Biden from keeping pace with Sanders,” Fording says. To arrange an interview with Fording, contact him directly at rcfording@ua.edu. For assistance, contact Jamon Smith in UA communications at jamon.smith@ua.edu, 205-348-4956.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS HINGES ON DURATION – The U.S. economy could quickly recover from impacts of the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, but it hinges on how soon it’s contained, says a UA insurance researcher. A reduction in activity by those avoiding or recovering from the disease is the primary economic effect from potential pandemics, says Dr. Lars Powell, director and senior research professional with the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research. Suspension of many Chinese factories will have a short-term impact on some U.S. companies’ supply chains. “If the virus is effectively contained, it will run its course, and the economy will rebound quickly,” Powell says. “If COVID-19 spreads problematically in the United States, the effect on the U.S. economy will be much worse.” Powell is available for interviews Monday and Friday. He may be reached at 205-348-4498 or lars.powell@ua.edu. For assistance, contact Bryant Welbourne in UA communications at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
EVENTS
LAW SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM ON CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE – UA’s School of Law is hosting a symposium from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the Bedsole Moot Court Room. The symposium, Timbs v. Indiana One Year Later: The Future of Civil Asset Forfeiture, will explore the consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court case. This symposium will feature three panel discussions with prominent law professors and practitioners and a keynote address from Wesley Hottot, the senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, who argued the Timbs case before the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information, contact Monique Fields, manager of communications in the law school at 205-348-5195 or mfields@law.ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
2020 ALABAMA WRITERS HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT 7 — Seven distinguished authors will be inducted March 9 into the 2020 Alabama Writers Hall of Fame at UA’s Bryant Conference Center. This year’s inductees include Mark Childress, Faye Gibbons, Carolyn Haines, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers and Michael Knight. Authors Ralph Ellison and Zelda Fitzgerald will be inducted posthumously. A reception will be held in the authors’ honor at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The induction ceremony will immediately follow dinner. For more information, contact Jamon Smith in UA communications at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956.
KNAP-IN TO SPOTLIGHT NATIVE AMERICAN STONE TOOLS, CULTURE – UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park invites the West Alabama community to learn the Native American skill of flintknapping at the 20th annual Knap-In March 13-14. The event will feature some of the best flintknappers from around the nation demonstrating the ancient art of making tools out of stone, bone or antler using only rocks. Aside from flintknapping, the event will showcase Native American culture in a variety of ways. Watch for an upcoming news release with more details. For questions, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
SEE A LIST OF CAMPUS EVENTS AT https://www.ua.edu/events/.
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