Ask our experts
Updated October 23:
Canadian Senate
After a Conservative proposal to suspend former Tory senators, Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau, without pay has sparked a fierce debate inside the Red Chamber. Is it proper to suspend them before they are found guilty in a fair and impartial hearing?
Political perspective
James Kelly – Professor and associate chair, Department of Political Science
James.Kelly@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2112
Cell: 514-605-7906
Interviews in English only
Brooke Jeffrey – Associate professor, Department of Political Science
B.Jeffrey@rogers.com
Interviews in English only
Fraud and corruption
Dominic Peltier-Rivest – Professor, Department of Accountancy
D.Peltier-Rivest@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2778
Interviews in French and English
2013 World Series
The 2013 World Series is underway and the Boston Red Sox are battling the St. Louis Cardinals for baseball supremacy. David McGimpsey, lecturer with Concordia's Department of English and author of Imagining Baseball: America's Pastime and Popular Culture (Indiana University Press), is available for expert commentary on the cultural significance of baseball.
David McGimpsey – Instructor, Department of English
DaveMcGimpsey@gmail.com
514-848-2424, ext. 2340
Cell: 514-824-6673
Follow on Twitter @DaveMcGimpsey
Interviews in English only
Environmental impact of fracking
Last week Canada saw a wave of anti-fracking protests across the country after Elsipogtog First Nations people blocked trucks from SWN Resources, the Texas energy company exploring for shale gas near Rexton, NB. However, days later, New Brunswick Premier David Alward vowed to continue to develop the shale gas industry. Ketra Schmitt, assistant professor in the Centre for Engineering in Society, and Peter Stoett, professor in the Department of Political Science and director of the Loyola Sustainibility Research Centre, can offer their expertise on fracking from an environmental and political standpoint respectively.
Ketra Schmitt – Assistant professor, Centre for Engineering in Society
KSchmitt@encs.concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 5471
Follow on Twitter @KetraSchmitt
Interviews in English only
Peter Stoett – Professor, Department of Political Science and Director of the Loyola Sustainibility Research Centre
Peter.Stoett@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2116 or 2092
Interview in English only
Bell and behavioural advertising
Customers of Bell recently received a letter explaining that as of November 16 the company would begin collecting detailed information about their consumption habits in order to offer relevant ads. It may be legal, but is it ethical? Fenwick McKelvey, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, can offer his expertise on the subject.
Fenwick McKelvey – Assistant professor, Department of Communication Studies
Fenwick.McKelvey@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 8673
Follow on Twitter @McKelveyf
Interviews in English only
Updated on October 17:
Throne Speech
On Wednesday, October 16 the Governor-General David Johnston gave the Throne Speech in the Senate. Brooke Jeffrey, professor in the Department of Political Science, can offer her expertise on what the speech will mean for Canadians.
Brooke Jeffrey – Professor, Department of Political Science
b.jeffrey@rogers.com
514-848-2424, ext. 2131
Interviews in English and by telephone only
World Obesity Awareness Week
World Obesity Awareness Week focuses on fitness, nutrition, exercise programs and other measures to tackle obesity. Doctoral candidate and part-time faculty member in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, Madeleine Mcbrearty can share her expertise on the current global obesity crisis.
Madeleine Mcbrearty – Doctoral candidate, Department of Applied Human Sciences
mmcbr26@hmail.com
514.912.4867
Interviews in English only
Christening of Prince George
The world waited with bated breath for the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby, Prince George. Now the world prepares for the Prince’s christening on October 23 at the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace. British Monarchy expert, Estelle Bouthillier, can provide her expertise on all facets surrounding the christening and other Royal questions.
Estelle Bouthillier – Information and Documentation Analyst, Office of the President
Estelle.Bouthillier@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 4869
Interviews in French and English
Open Access
October 21 to 27 is Open Access Week, which celebrates free, immediate, online access to the results of scholarly research. Concordia’s Collections Librarian, Geoffrey Little, can explain the importance of Open Access as a new norm in scholarship and research.
Geoffrey Little – Collections Librarian
Geoffrey.Little@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 7748
Interviews in English only and only available as of Monday, October 21
Posted October 9, 2013:
2013 Nobel Prizes
This morning it was announced that Canadian short-story writer, Alice Munro, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The heavy favourite to win the Nobel Peace Prize is education rights activist Malala Yousafzai. This announcement is expected to happen on Friday, October 11, at 11 a.m. From Albert Einstein in 1921 to Samuel Beckett in 1969 to Nelson Mandela in 1992, the Nobel Prize has been awarded 555 times to 862 people and organizations.
For commentary on Alice Munro:
Jessica Langston – Assistant Professor, Department of English
Jessica.Langston@concordia.ca
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 5618
Cell: 438-402-7785
Interviews in English only
For commentary on Malala Yousafzai:
Gada Mahrouse – Assistant professor, The Simone de Beauvoir Institute
To speak with Professor Mahrouse please contact
Nadia Kherif – Media Relations Advisor
Nadia.kherif@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 4187
Cell: 514-262-0909
Interviews in French and English by phone only
Government of Quebec’s $2-billion jobs plan
On Monday, October 7, Premier Pauline Marois and Finance Minister Nicolas Marceau revealed the Government of Quebec’s job creation plan that would invest $2-billion and create more than 40,000 jobs by 2017. Economics professor Ian Irvine can share his expertise on the plan and what it means for Quebec’s economy.
Ian Irvine – Professor, Department of Economics
ian.irvine@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 3909
Interviews in English and French
Social media and elections
During major moments in politics, where do you turn for news? Increasingly, the answer to that question is social media. As political parties and politicians add Twitter and Facebook to their campaign strategies, how is social media creating a new political landscape? Fenwick McKelvey, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, can share his expertise on the history of the use of social media in election campaigns.
Fenwick McKelvey – Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Fenwick.McKelvey@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2424
Interviews in English only
Brazil-Canada espionage
It has been revealed that Communications Security Establishment Canada may have monitored communications of Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry. But why is Canada targeting Brazil? Jean François Mayer, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, whose work focuses on brazil can share his expertise on the comparative politics of developing countries.
Jean François Mayer – Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
jean.mayer@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 4073
Cell: 514-710-7792
Interviews in French and English
Posted October 2, 2013:
Mental health across the ages
Mental illness affects people of all ages, cultures and educational and income levels. On Thursday, October 10, the World Health Organization will be heightening awareness and helping to end stigma of mental illness with World Mental Health Day. Concordia experts are available to discuss mental health in children, adolescents and adults.
Children
Diane Poulin-Dubois – Professor, Department of Psychology and a researcher in the Centre for Research in Human Development (CRDH)
Diane.PoulinDubois@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2219
Interviews in English and French
Adolescents
William Bukowski – Professor, Department of Psychology and director of the CRDH
William.Bukowski@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2184
Interviews in English only
Adults
Adam Radomsky – Professor, Department of Psychology
Adam.Radomsky@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2202
Interviews in English only
U.S. Federal Government Shutdown
On Monday, September 30, for the first time in 17 years, the American Congress failed to agree on a new budget and refused to extend the current one. Now more than 800,000 American federal workers are off without pay as the government has shutdown.
Graham Dodds – Associate Professor, Department of Politcal Science
G.Dodds@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 5605
Interviews in English only
David Gilmour
Twitter erupted last week after award winning author and literature instructor at the University of Toronto’s Victoria College, David Gilmour, told Random House that he does not want to include works by women, Canadian or Chinese authors in his course material. Are his comments suggestive of a larger misogyny problem in the Canadian literary world?
Jessica Langston – Assistant Professor, Department of English
Jessica.Langston@concordia.ca
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 5618
Cell: 438-402-7785
Interviews in English only
Linda Kay – Associated Professor, Department of Journalism
Linda.Kay@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2469
Interviews in English only
Ubisoft puts millions into local gaming industry
On Tuesday, October 1, Ubisoft announced that it will concentrate its North American online gaming operations in Montreal, which will create 500 new jobs in Quebec and involve a total investment of $373 million. But beyond jobs, what does this mean for gaming in Montreal?
Bart Simon – Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Bart.Simon@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2164
Interviews in English only
Jennifer Whitson – Post-doctoral researcher, Technoculture, Art and Games Research Centre
jenni.whitson@gmail.com
613-898-5366
Interviews in English only
Mia Consalvo – Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Mia.Consalvo@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2574
Interviews in English only
Posted September 5, 2013:
Municipal Elections
The municipal election campaign is in full swing in the City of Montreal. Concordia experts can provide insight on topics ranging from immigration to infrastructure to corruption at city hall.
On Quebec and municipal politics
Harold Chorney – Professor, Department of Political Science
Harold.chorney@concordia.ca
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 2115
Cell: 514-909-1556
Interviews in English only
On urban planning and infrastructure
Pierre Gauthier – Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment
Pierre.gauthier@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2062
Interviews in both French and English
Adel Hanna – Professor, Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
hanna@civil.concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 7808
Interviews in English only
On governance and fraud
Michel Magnan – Professor, Department of Accountancy
mmagnan@jmsb.concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 4145
Interviews in English and French
Dominic Peltier- Rivest – Professor, Department of Accountancy
D.peltier-rivest@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 2778
Interviews in English and French
Standoff in Nairobi
Over the weekend, militants stormed Nairobi’s Westgate Mall that resulted in a four days of fighting. Daniel Douek, professor in the Department of Political Science, expertise focuses on comparative politics and Africa.
Daniel Douek – Assistant Professor, Department of Politcal Science
Daniel.douek@concordia.ca
514-848-2424, ext. 7837
Interviews in English and French
Charter of Values
The Government of Quebec’s proposed Charter of Values continues to be a topic of discussion. An associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies, Jeremy Stolow’s expertise focuses on the relationship between media and religion.
To reach Jeremy Stolow, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, for interviews please contact:
Cléa Desjardins – Media Relations Senior Advisor
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 5068
Cell: 514-909-2999
Clea.Desjardins@concordia.ca
Interviews in English and French
Pakistan earthquake
On Tuesday, September 24, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Pakistan. Associate professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, Rosemary Reilly, can provide expertise on community grief. Bill Reimer, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, can discuss community efforts that aid in disaster recovery.
Rosemary Reilly – Associate Professor, Department of Applied Human Sciences
rosemary.reilly@concordia.ca
Interviews in English only
Bill Reimer – Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
bill.reimer@concordia.ca
Interviews in English only
Posted September 17, 2013:
Charter of Values
On Saturday, September 14, thousands gathered in Montreal to protest the Government of Quebec’s proposed Charter of Values. Mireille Paquet, professor in the Department of Political Science, speaks directly on the subject of public policy and integration. Paquet specializes in Canadian and Quebec politics.
Mireille Paquet – Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 2111
E-mail: mireille.paquet@concordia.ca
Interviews in both English and French
Bombardier’s CSeries 100
On Monday, September 16, Bombardier’s new commercial jet, the CSeries 100, made its maiden voyage. It took almost 10 years and about $3.4 billion to get it off the ground, but the CSeries is reported to be quieter and more fuel efficient than Bombardier’s existing commercial jets. An associate professor in the Department of Management, Isabelle Dostaler’s expertise focuses on aviation and the aerospace industry and new product development was at the inaugural flight.
Meet Dr. Isabelle Dostaler.
Isabelle Dostaler – Associate Professor, Department of Management
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 2798
Cell: 514-915-1249
Isabelle.Dostaler@concordia.ca
Twitter: @IDostaler
Interviews in both English and French
Urban Planning and Transportation
Commuting to work can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. However, relief may soon be on the way in the form of a new mobile application launched by Concordia professor Zachary Patterson, a former transportation modeller with Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) who is interested in transportation modelling, the environment and land-use and their linkages.
To reach Zachary Patterson, assistant professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, for interviews please contact:
Cléa Desjardins – Senior Advisor, Media Relations
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 5068
Cell: 514-909-2999
Clea.Desjardins@concordia.ca
Follow Dr. Patterson on Twitter: @ProfPatterson
Target comes to Quebec
On Tuesday, September 17, American discount retailer Target will open its first stores in Quebec. How will it fit into Quebec’s economic landscape? Robert Soroka, a marketing expert in the John Molson School of Business, can share his expertise on retail and marketing strategies.
Robert Soroka – Department of Marketing
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 4316
Cell: 514-851-2377
Robert.Soroka@concordia.ca
Posted September 12, 2013:
Syria
The situation in Syria remains a central topic in the media. Last week we proposed two experts from the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) at Concordia who can provide their views on how a country’s responsibility to protect citizens comes into play. This week we are adding a highly respected scholar and authority on the politics of the Middle East.
Henri Habib – Distinguished professor emeritus, Department of Political Science
henri.habib@sympatico.ca
Cell: 514-298-9505
Professor Habib can give interviews in both French and English
Charter of Values
On Tuesday, September 10 the Government of Quebec unveiled its plans for a Quebec Charter of Values. The proposed charter states that no public servant will be able to wear conspicuous religious symbols.
Last week we proposed Daniel Salée, professor in the School of Community and Public Affairs, who is an expert that focuses mainly on Quebec and Canada that include secularism, citizenship and identity politics and state management. Professor Salée shares his expertise in his own words.
Watch the video on YouTube.
Daniel Salée – Professor, School of Community and Public Affairs
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 2578
Daniel.Salee@concordia.ca
Professor Salée can give interviews in French and English
Aaron Dresner, instructor in the John Molson School of Business, can comment on private sector managers applying the provisions of the proposed charter.
Aaron Dresner, instructor in the Department of Management
adresner@jmsb.concordia.ca
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 3642
Can give interviews in English only
Teens and Fitness
North America is facing an obesity crisis and there are overwhelming statistics showing that teens are not getting enough exercise. But what do teens really think about hitting the gym? James Gavin, professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, recently released a study about this. Gavin interviewed 1,000 Montreal high school students and the results were revealing. James Gavin is available to discuss how teachers can rethink physical education curricula in a way that will actively engage teens.
James Gavin – Professor, Department of Applied Human Sciences
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 2272
james.gavin@concordia.ca
Interviews in English only
Posted September 4, 2013:
Syria
The situation in Syria remains dire as Western countries contemplate military intervention. Experts from the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) at Concordia can provide their views on how a country’s responsibility to protect citizens comes into play.
Frank Chalk – Director, MIGS
Frank.Chalk@concordia.ca
Cell.: 514-983-9533
Kyle Matthews – Deputy Director, MIGS
Kyle.Matthews@concordia.ca
Cell.: 514-975-8160
Charter of values
On September 9, the Quebec government will introduce a Charter of Values that is expected to define the universal but also uniquely Québecois values the province upholds. Its most controversial content will define what religious symbols can or cannot be worn by people who work in the public realm. These experts examine the challenges and risks in putting forth this document.
Daniel Salée – Professor, School of Community and Public Affairs
Phone: 514-848-2424 ext. 2578
Daniel.Salee@concordia.ca
Emmanuelle Richez – lecturer, Department of Political Science
Cell.: 514-608-3782
Emmanuelle.Richez@concordia.ca
Teaching history in Quebec
The Quebec government wants to review how history is taught across the province. It wants to ensure the teaching of “national history” in elementary schools, highs schools and Cegeps serves as a “reinforcement of identity” for Quebec students. John Commins is a high school history teacher and graduate student in the Department of History who has sat on advisory committees on Quebec’s history curriculum.
John Commins – MA student, Department of History
jcommins98@hotmail.com
Cell.: 514-798-2136
Mars One project
The application deadline to take part in the Mars One project has passed. Raye Kass, a professor in the Department of Human Sciences, is now working with the other members of the selection committee to determine which candidates are best suited for the one way trip to the red planet. Professor Kass is available to discuss what her work on this project involves.
Raye Kass – Professor, Department of Human Sciences
Cell.: 514-927-0829
RayeKass@sympatico.ca