Society & Culture

UGA experts available during election season

Athens, Ga. – With the July 22 primary runoff elections approaching, experts from the University of Georgia are available to provide commentary during this election season.

The expertise of UGA sources ranges from how the media affects public opinion to electoral integrity. These experts, their qualifications and contact information are listed below. For more information, contact UGA News Service at 706-542-8083 or news@uga.edu.

Scott Ainsworth—abortion politics, interest groups and lobbying
Professor of political science
School of Public and International Affairs
706-542-2960, sainswor@uga.edu

Much of Ainsworth’s research is focused on the influence interest groups have in government.

Charles Bullock—Southern and Georgia politics and U.S. Congress
Richard B. Russell Professor of Political Science
School of Public and International Affairs
706-542-2057, cbullock@uga.edu

Widely recognized for his expertise in legislative and Southern politics, Bullock gives hundreds of interviews to local, state and national media outlets each year in an effort to inform public discussion on a range of issues. He is a prolific writer and researcher, having published more than 100 articles in scholarly journals.

Jamie Carson—congressional politics and elections
Professor of political science
School of Public and International Affairs
706-542-2889, carson@uga.edu

Carson is an expert on congressional politics and elections, separation of powers, and American political development. He is broadly interested in electoral accountability, representation, and strategic behavior among political elites. His most recent book, “Ambition, Competition, and Electoral Reform: The Politics of Congressional Elections Across Time,” was published by the University of Michigan Press in 2013. He will be a co-author with Gary Jacobson on the ninth edition of “The Politics of Congressional Elections” (Pearson).

Barry Hollander—how the media affects public opinion and voting
Professor of Journalism
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
706-542-5027, barry@uga.edu

Hollander’s research focuses on public opinion, in particular how people learn from the media and its influence on perceptions and voting. He is also an expert on belief in conspiracy theories and media misinformation.

Trey Hood—American politics and policy, run-off
Professor of political science, graduate program coordinator
School of Public and International Affairs
706-583-0054, th@uga.edu

Hood is an expert on American politics and policy.

Ines Levin—elections and civic engagement
Assistant professor of political science
School of Public and International Affairs
706-583-0555, ilevin@uga.edu

Levin is an expert in the areas of elections, election administration, electoral integrity, public opinion, civic engagement and political behavior.

Spencer Tinkham—elections and communications
Professor of advertising
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
706-542-4986, stinkham@uga.edu

Tinkham’s research focuses on political communication, particularly with respect to message and audience factors in persuasion.