MONDAY, MARCH 26 – SUNDAY, APRIL 1
RESEARCH
STUDENTS HIGHLIGHT RESEARCH, CREATIVITY DURING ANNUAL CONFERENCE – More than 450 undergraduate students at UA are highlighting their research and creative projects during the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference March 28-30. The 11th annual conference, hosted by UA’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, kicks off at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, with a Tide Talk in Smith Hall. Poster presentations of student research will be held in the Ferguson Center throughout Thursday with a showcase of creative activity Friday at noon in the Ferguson Center. For more information, contact Adam Jones in communications, 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
BEST BETS
ALDAG BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION THIS WEEK — Students at UA and members of the Tuscaloosa community pitch their business ideas at the Edward K. Aldag Jr. Business Plan Competition throughout the day Tuesday, March 27, at the Bryant Conference Center. Expect engaging and dynamic presentations from these potential entrepreneurs as they compete for more than $150,000 in cash and in-kind support. For more information, contact Michael Larsen at mrlarsen@culverhouse.ua.edu or 205-722-5176, Tommie Syx at 205-722-5179 or aei@cba.ua.edu. Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute, the event’s organizer, has additional background here. For additional assistance, contact Zach Thomas, director of marketing and communications in UA’s business school at 205-348-8318 or zthomas@cba.ua.edu.
AUTISM RESEARCHERS RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS FOR INNOVATIVE PROJECT – UA’s Center for the Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems will soon begin recruiting Tuscaloosa-area youth with autism spectrum disorder for SENSE Theatre, a unique intervention research program that uses well-established behavioral approaches alongside creative theatrical techniques designed to improve the social and emotional abilities of children with an autism spectrum disorder. UA is one of three universities to receive a $1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the project. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
MAKING NEWS
FBI SAYS HATE CRIMES RISING – The FBI earlier released hate crime statistics showing a significant increase in these offenses over the past few years. The crimes are primarily motivated by racism, followed by religious bias and, lastly, sexual orientation bias. Dr. Adam Ghazi-Tehrani, an assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice who specializes in hate crime, is available to offer his expertise on the subject. He can be reached at akghazitehrani@ua.edu or 916-300-3860. For assistant, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu.
‘TRICKLE-DOWN’ EFFECT FROM STEEL TARIFFS COULD AFFECT ALABAMA ECONOMY – Will President Donald Trump’s steel tariffs directly impact the state of Alabama? The answer is complex, as any steel that enters U.S. ports is shipped throughout the country. And, the state already has its own steel producers, global supply chain and industry users. Private building and public infrastructure projects could be affected by a “trickle down” effect as global industry responds to the taxes. “There will be price increases that will likely affect everyone,” said Brian Davis, director of UA’s International Trade Center. “China will come up with things they might tax in retaliation, like U.S. agriculture exports.” Davis is available for interviews at 205-348-7621 or bdavis@aitc@ua.edu. For assistance, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
MORE ARMED OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS NOT GUARANTEED DETERRENT – Perhaps drowned out in the debate over arming K-12 teachers is the idea of expanding funding for more school resource officers. While increasing the number of trained officers per campus is “far safer than armed teachers” in terms of unintended consequences, there isn’t compelling evidence that more SROs would have a deterrent effect, said Dr. Adam Lankford, a UA criminologist. “… There were armed officers on site for Columbine, Orlando and Parkland who failed to stop the shooter,” he said. “… Many offenders are suicidal and expect to be shot and killed; they wouldn’t be deterred by places with armed guards …”. Lankford is available to discuss the topic and can be reached at 205-348-9901 or adam.lankford@ua.edu. For assistance, contact David Miller, communications, 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON ANOTHER TOPIC? – See frequently updated expert directory here.
EVENTS
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATE IS REALIZING THE DREAM LECTURER – Julissa Arce, immigrant rights advocate and author, is the 2018 Realizing the Dream distinguished lecturer. Her address takes place Tuesday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the Embassy Suites Ballroom. Arce came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 11 and was undocumented for almost 15 years before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2014. She built a successful career on Wall Street during part of this time, and she now serves as an advocate for immigrant rights and education. She authored “My (Underground) American Dream.” Each year, the community celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Realizing the Dream activities. For more information, contact Carol Agomo, UA community affairs, 205-348-7405 or community.affairs@ua.edu or contact UA communications, 205-348-5320.
FORMER IBM COMMUNICATOR TO PRESENT THURSDAY — Jon Iwata, the former senior vice president and chief brand officer for IBM and one of the most respected leaders in corporate communications, will deliver the 20th Koten Distinguished Lecture in Public Relations Thursday, March 29. The lecture will take place at 9:30 a.m. in Reese Phifer Hall, room 216, on the UA campus. Iwata will deliver a presentation titled “Authentic Communications in a Time of A.I., Big Data and Fake News.” The lecture series is sponsored by UA’s Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. For more information, contact Rand Nelson, 205-348-6416 or james.nelson@ua.edu or Jessika White, 205-348-7250 or jnwhite@apr.ua.edu.