WashU Experts

During his four years in office, Joe Biden was hailed as the most pro-union president in recent history. But whether his record translates into votes for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris remains to be seen. Sociologist Jake Rosenfeld, in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, explains why Democrats have lost some union votes and how the parties are responding.

“Envy of the world” or a disgrace? Olin Business School’s John Horn discusses the state of the U.S. economy, President Joe Biden’s economic legacy and what to expect from a future Harris or Trump presidency.

Diana Z. O’Brien, the Bela Kornitzer Distinguished Professor of Political Science in Arts & Sciences, discusses the unique challenges facing female politicians, the importance of representation and more.  

While some progress has been made in the 10 years since Michael Brown’s death Aug. 9, 2014, in many ways we have regressed as a nation, said the School of Law’s Kimberly Norwood, an expert on social justice and civil rights issues.

Washington University in St. Louis faculty are available for media interviews marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Michael Brown Aug. 9, 2014, and subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo.

Clarissa Rile Hayward, a professor of political science in Arts & Sciences and an expert on social movements, said that Michael Brown’s death forced law enforcement agencies around the country to grapple with the racism within their departments and led to an uptick in activism and political engagement.

The demise of Chevron is unlikely to result in the dramatic curtailment of agency power that some had desired and some had feared, said Ronald Levin, the the William R. Orthwein Distinguished Professor of Law.

Known as a “gamble for resurrection,” leaders in crisis have long pursued risky actions in a final attempt to resurrect their careers. Dan Butler, professor of political science in Arts & Sciences, says the Democratic party is currently weighing its own gamble following Biden’s disappointing first debate.

Louisiana’s recent legislation requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom is likely unconstitutional under the current framework of the Establishment Clause, said an expert on law and religion at Washington University in St. Louis.

As psychedelic-assisted therapy gains mainstream acceptance, the role of social workers, who provide a significant portion of mental health services in the United States, will become increasingly important in this emerging field, says an expert on mental health in the Brown School.