Drexel Experts Available to Comment on Democratic National Convention

Drexel experts are prepared to address a number of issues surrounding the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

As Philadelphia prepares to host what is likely to be one of the largest and most historically significant Democratic National Conventions, Drexel experts are available to comment on issues ranging from the logistics of putting together the massive gathering and its historical significance, as well as addressing the biggest political issues that will face presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

THE LOGISTICS

Emergency Medical Preparedness:

Richard Hamilton, MD, a professor in the College of Medicine and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, can comment on the city’s emergency preparation for any mass casualty or violent incidents that could occur during the convention, including protocols, disaster plans and management approaches.

Tourism:

Linda Forristal, PhD, an assistant teaching professor of hospitality and tourism who specializes in such areas as destination management, tourism marketing, place branding with native species and tourism mobility and transit connectivity, can discuss how Philly’s hospitality and tourism is preparing for the convention.

Economics:

Joel Maxcy, PhD, an associate professor in the Center for Hospitality and Sport Management, can comment on the economics of hosting such a large-scale event, for hotels, dining establishments and other areas of the city’s tourism industry.

Dining:

Paul O’Neill, director of special projects for Drexel’s Center for Hospitality and Sport Management, can comment on how restaurants in Philadelphia will be affected by the influx of people to the city and what restaurants tourists should try.

THE HISTORY

History of assembly/political protest:

Tabatha Abu El-Haj, JD, PhD, an associate professor of law in Drexel's Thomas R. Kline School of Law, is an expert on the right of assembly, as it pertains to protests and can speak to anticipations of gatherings at the DNC and RNC. Her principal interest is the American political process, and can discuss the ways it is structured by constitutional law and the administrative state. Abu El-Haj has a background in the sociology of law, and she can discuss the increase of democratic accountability of political institutions through political participation.

Politics in Philadelphia:

Richardson Dilworth, PhD, a professor of political science and director of Drexel’s Center for Public Policy is an expert regarding the political history of Philadelphia. He is available to discuss the progress (and blunders) of politicians throughout the course of the city’s history of hosting important political gatherings.

DNC in political landscape:

William Rosenberg, PhD, a professor of political science is an expert on local, regional and national politics and presidential elections and is a recognized expert on the American presidency and presidential campaigns. He is available to discuss the DNC on a large scale.

Presidential artifacts:

Bob Peck, the senior fellow at the Academy of Natural Sciences, is a writer and historian who curated an exhibit currently on display at the Academy that features presidential artifacts including locks of hair and letters from America’s founding fathers. Peck is an expert in the natural and cultural history of our nation and can discuss the importance of preserving pieces of history as a way of understanding how America is evolving.

Ted Daeschler, PhD, vice president of the Academy of Natural Sciences, is a renowned paleontologist and natural historian. He helped to curate the Presidential Archives exhibit currently on display at the Academy, which includes fossils discovered by Thomas Jefferson and his correspondence with the Academy.

THE ISSUES

Immigration:

Anil Kalhan, JD, an associate professor of law in Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, is an expert on immigration law, criminal law, U.S. and comparative constitutional law and international human rights law. He is available to discuss topics as they relate to the issues discussed during the DNC.

Women’s rights, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, gun control:

David S. Cohen, JD, a professor of law in Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, is an expert on constitutional law and gender issues in the law that range from sex discrimination, abortion/reproductive rights and LGBT issues to interactions between gender identity and social policy. He is available to discuss topics as they relate to the issues discussed during the DNC.

Healthcare reform:

Robert Field, PhD, JD, a professor of law and health management and policy in Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Dornsife School of Public Health, is an expert on health law and public health, public policy and legal facets of healthcare reform. He is available to discuss topics as they relate to the issues discussed during the DNC.

Corporations taking sides:

Daniel Korschun, PhD, an associate professor of marketing in Drexel’s LeBow College of Business and fellow of its Center for Corporate Governance, is an expert in corporate reputation management and social responsibility. He is available to discuss the trend of corporations taking public positions on divisive political issues and how their stance affects brand loyalty and the behavior of customers.