MONDAY, FEB. 29 – SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016
BEST BETS
TALKING SUPER TUESDAY – Election sources from UA are available for political commentary before and after the state’s voters go to the polls Tuesday. Dr. George Hawley, an assistant professor of political science specializing in American politics, is most accessible from noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and on Tuesday from 2-6 p.m. Contact him directly at ghawley@ua.edu or 509/201-0290. Dr. Joseph Smith, an associate professor of a political science specializing in American politics, is accessible throughout much of Wednesday. Contact him, initially, via josmith@bama.ua.edu. Dr. Nichole Bauer, assistant professor of political science, is available only by email and phone. She’s most accessible between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday and 2-4 p.m. Tuesday. Email her at nichole.bauer@ua.edu. For assistance reaching these or potentially other UA political sources, contact Jamon Smith in media relations at 205/348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu.
PEDIATRIC CANCER STUDY LOOKING FOR PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE – No one can truly understand the challenges faced by parents of a child with cancer, but Dr. Sherwood Burns-Nader, a UA professor in the department of human development and family studies, hopes to get a brief snapshot into that life through a current study. Burns-Nader is recruiting participants for the study. The only criteria are that the child has been diagnosed within the past six months, the parents are 18 or older and they have access to Internet and an email address. For more information, contact Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM HOSTS J-DAY – UA’s department of journalism hosts its eighth annual J-Day Thursday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Reese Phifer Hall. Dr. Harvey Jackson III, 2016 winner of the Clarence Cason Award in Nonfiction and author of several books on Alabama History, will speak on the art and practice of writing at 6:30 p.m. David Mattingly, former CNN correspondent, Roy Johnson, Birmingham Magazine editor, and Jonathan Hardison, WBRC FOX6 news anchor, will speak on media trends beginning at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Hailey Grace Steele, UA media relations, at 205/348-6416.
‘TESTED’ FILMMAKER TO DISCUSS SOCIAL, EDUCATION ISSUES — Activist and filmmaker Curtis Chin will screen his education and equality documentary “Tested” Monday, Feb. 29, at UA. Chin’s screening and discussion are part of the James P. Curtis Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted annually by the UA College of Education. The screening will begin at 5 p.m. in 118 Graves Hall. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact David Miller, UA media relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
UNC PROFESSOR TO DISCUSS SUICIDE IN ADOLESCENTS – Dr. Mitch Prinstein, the John Van Seters Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC-Chapel Hill, will deliver a lecture titled, “Predicting Adolescent Suicidal Behavior,” a new approach for understanding suicide risk among adolescent girls, including preliminary study of stress reactivity and gene expression as biomarkers for suicide at 2 p.m. Friday, March 4, in 1093 Shelby. For more information, contact David Miller, UA media relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION HONORS CAMPUS – UA was recently honored with 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor colleges and universities for engaging staff and students in conservation goals through campus forestry efforts. UA achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s standards. UA’s urban forest is comprised of more than 10,000 trees, many more than a century old. For more information, contact Kristi Payne, UA media relations student writer, kmpayne2@crimson.ua.edu or Chris Bryant, UA media relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
LACK OF OSCAR’S DIVERSITY A DEEPER PROBLEM – The 2016 Oscars has been criticized for lack of diversity in nominations. Dr. Kristen Warner, assistant professor of telecommunication and film, says the root of the problem may be in the labor dynamics of the industry. “It seems as if we are placing most indicators of successful industrial diversity on this ceremony when the people generally left off the hook are the powers that be — who may also be academy members — who feel like if they do one or two movies with black casts a year they’ve fulfilled their role,” Warner said. “Maybe if we start investigating the labor dynamics that make up the root of the diseased tree, and stop trying to snip branches, that could lead to traction.” For an interview with Warner, contact Hailey Grace Steele, UA media relations, at 205/792-2167 or hgallen@ua.edu.
FEDS’ REQUEST OF APPLE NOT ‘SNEAKY’ – Apple’s decision to deny a court request for assistance in the government’s investigation of a terrorist attack has divided users’ opinions on the reach of authorities and personal privacy. Dr. Diana Dolliver, assistant professor of criminal justice at UA, says Apple’s response was blown out of proportion, and the FBI’s request wasn’t “sneaky.” “Apple’s statement to customers, while raising valid concerns regarding encryption and user privacy, misrepresented the scope of the court request,” Dolliver said. “All the FBI needs is a software by-pass to remove the 10-password try limit for that one single phone, not to create ‘backdoors’ into everyone’s phones.” For an interview with Dolliver, contact David Miller, UA media relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu or Dolliver at 205/348-2062 or dldolliver@ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: TRANSITIONING BACK TO WORK AFTER BABY — Returning to a job after giving birth can be an extremely emotional and trying time for a working mom. Dr. Laura Bloom offers some suggestions on what moms can do to help ease some of the pressure during this transition in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, at 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
UA MATTERS: HELPING CHILDREN CONNECT WITH NATURE — Spending time in nature improves mood, reduces stress and promotes better physical health. Despite the countless benefits, it has become increasingly difficult to separate ourselves from our busy schedules, electronic devices and creature comforts to spend time outside. Dr. Caroline Boxmeyer offers some ideas that may help. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, at 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
EVENTS
MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL CONTINUES WITH WEEKLY LECTURE SERIES – Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer, associate dean of clinical affairs and professor in the department of family medicine in the College of Community Health Sciences, will present “To be or not to be: Health care reform. That is the question” at noon Thursday, March 3, as part of a lecture series for UA’s OLLI program. The discussion, which takes place in the Bryant Conference Center, will explore the status of U.S. health care now, the impact of the Affordable Care Act to date and what health system changes are on the horizon. For more information, contact Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
MUSEUM HOSTS PRESCHOOL PROGRAM – UA’s Alabama Museum of Natural History hosts its Growing Up Wild Preschool from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 4. The program is all about exploring nature with preschool-aged children. The cost is $2. For registration, which is required, phone 205/348-7550. For more information, contact Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
ANCIENT TOOLS AND WEAPONS FOCUS OF MOUNDVILLE PARK PROGRAM – UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park resumes its Saturday in the Park program this weekend. Retired U.S. Marine and weapons expert Bill Skinner will display and discuss an assortment of implements used by the Southeastern Indians for hunting and fishing. Visitors will have an opportunity to throw an atlatl, a spear thrower used prior to the invention of the bow and arrow, or Choctaw rabbit sticks – one of the first “weapons” young boys were allowed to use. Children will also be able to make and try out their own sling made from natural fibers. The program will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Moundville Archaeological Park. For more information, contact Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
MUSEUM HOSTS K-2ND PROGRAM — UA’s Alabama Museum of Natural History hosts its Museum Monday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday, March 7. Offered to kindergarten through second-graders, the program offers children an opportunity to conduct experiments, make observations, explore the museum and play games designed around a specific topic. The cost is $8. For registration, which is required, phone 205/348-7550. For more information, contact Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
ANNUAL KNAP-IN AT MOUNDVILLE PARK FEATURES ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES — UA’s Moundville Knap-in, slated for March 11 and 12, is a great event for anyone interested in Native Americans, ancient technologies or outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing. Held at Moundville Archaeological Park, stone toolmakers, artists and ancient technology experts from around the country hammer out stone points, carve intricate pieces, throw spears and shoot bows. For more information, contact Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
ENGINEERING HOSTS BRIDGE, CANOE CONTESTS – From March 10-12 the UA College of Engineering is hosting the 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers Southeast Student Conference, which will bring close to 1,000 students and professor from the region. The conference has several engineering contests including the Steel Bridge Competition held in the basement of the North Engineering Research Center on March 11 and the Concrete Canoe Competition held at Lake Lurleen State Park March 12. For more information,