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Experts Available: Shrinking Economy; Trump's First 100 Days; Food Insecurity; National Wildfire Awareness Month

Radford, VA (05/01/2025) — Radford University professors are available to speak about the following:

Radford University expert explains shrinking economy
The U.S. economy shrank at an annual pace of 0.3% from the beginning of January to the end of March. First-quarter growth slowed as companies "front loaded inventory" through imports before President Donald Trump's tariffs took effect, says Thomas Duncan, an associate professor of economics in Radford University's Davis College of Business and Economics. The economy may see "some uptick" next quarter as imports decline, Duncan noted. "The uncertainty effect," he said, "will likely drag those down into the next quarter unless there is more clarity and stability with policy."

Duncan has expertise in international relations and current macroeconomic trends (GDP, unemployment, inflation and recessions), as well as politics and economics.

Email: tduncan13@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-6057

President Trump's first 100 days
Much has happened in the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term. A short list includes a furry of executive orders; efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs; implementing tariffs on imported goods; and the creation of DOGE and the restructuring of the federal government. Radford University Political Science Chapman Rackaway, is available to speak about the president's swift actions and how his decisions are affecting Americans.

Rackaway serves as chair of Radford University's Department of Political Science. His expertise includes the U.S. president and executive branch, American voting behavior (local, state and federal), political communication, social media in politics and political polarization.

Email: crackaway@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-6602

Analyzing food insecurity in the U.S.
Assistant Professor of Geospatial Science Naveen Joseph is available to speak about how food insecurity affects vulnerable populations and varies regionally, particularly in the southern United States. Joseph recently published "Geospatial analysis of food insecurity and adverse human health outcomes in the United States" in the American Geophysical Union's (AGU) GeoHealth journal. "The study," he said, "examines the potential relationships between food insecurity and chronic health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases."

Joseph's expertise focuses on understanding the interactions among humans, the geospatial environment in which they live, time, and public health.

Email: njoseph2@radford.edu

Expert available to discuss May as National Wildfire Awareness Month
Radford University Professor of Geospatial Science Stockton Maxwell, Ph.D., is available to speak about the seasonality of wildfires; how fires are driven by weather and climate and fuels on the forest floor; and the history of wildfires in the central Appalachian region. Maxwell also can address the use of prescribed fire to manage landscapes for biodiversity and safety.

The professor's expertise includes forestry, forest ecology, wildfire, climatology, paleoclimatology, and environmental science.

Email: rmaxwell2@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-7604

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