WashU Experts

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Jan. 19 to hear United States v. Texas, the challenge brought by 26 states to President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. The stakes could not be larger, and they are not limited to immigration, said immigration law expert Stephen Legomsky.

While an adverse ruling for unions would certainly be bad news for organized labor, the expected setback need not be as dire as some are predicting, suggests Jake Rosenfeld, a labor union expert.

Wishing family and friends a “Happy New Year” is all well and fine, but if you’re serious about spreading cheer in the New Year, consider passing along more specific advice from a psychologist who studies the science of happiness at Washington University in St. Louis.

There is renewed interest by some Missouri groups for a proposed 23-cent-per-pack raise to Missouri’s tobacco tax, which is the nation’s lowest. While any raise in tobacco prices is one of the most effective ways to reduce and prevent smoking, the modest tax raise does not go far enough, says a tobacco control expert at Washington University in St. Louis. ​

Two Missouri legislators have proposed a bill that would require public universities and colleges to revoke scholarships held by student-athletes who refuse to play, or incite, support or participate in a strike. The proposed law violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, says an expert on freedom of speech at Washington University in St. Louis.

​Joseph Goodman, PhD, associate professor of marketing at Olin Business School and Sarah Lim, doctoral student at Cornell University, say consumers tend to un​derestimate the experiential gift-giving advantage because they’re afraid they don’t know a person well enough to choose a more personal, preference-driven option.

Few things are as certain as the end of life, so why is it so hard to talk about? That’s a question that many families will be grappling with over the holidays. And while it’s easy to put off dark discussions during festive times, it’s best to have them sooner than later, says Brian Carpenter, a psychologist who studies family relations in later life at Washington University in St. Louis.

More and better health care will be necessary, but not sufficient, to advance better overall population health and to address lingering health disparities, says Jason Purnell, an expert on public health at Washington University in St. Louis. Purnell has written a chapter in the newly released book “What It’s Worth: Strengthening the Financial Future of Families, Communities, and the Nation.”

​​Millions of consumers are expected to make online purchases during Cyber Week. How can they find the best deals? Selin A. Malkoc, PhD, associate professor of marketing at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, provides some advice and answers.​

Who were the Pilgrims? Who were the Puritans? And how did they view Native Americans? As the annual Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Abram Van Engen, PhD, assistant professor of English in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the beliefs of the two groups, the differences between them and the theology of sympathy.