The majority of School of Human Ecology faculty (35) were quoted or mentioned in a news media story in 2024, in addition to teaching faculty, teaching professors, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, emerit faculty and alumni. This media participation culminated in about 900 mentions in news outlets this year.
Here are some highlights from media stories that had the broadest reach:
The Washington Post (shared by MSN)
Millions from tax refunds go to pay fees, report finds
“It’s easy to critique any products that are offered that incur costs or high interest rates, but we also need to ask what happens if those go away. Is it better to pay a fee and then get to avoid eviction or avoid having your heat cut off? There are consequences for being credit-constrained.”
— Sarah Halpern-Meekin, Vaughan Bascom Professor of Women, Family and Community and professor of Human Development & Family Studies
NBC News (shared by MSN and AOL)
“One hug is worth a thousand video visits. Young kids, they need that form of comfort and connection in order to have a deep connection with that parent or family member.”
— Julie Poehlmann, Dorothy A. O’Brien Chair in Human Ecology and professor of Human Development & Family Studies
The New York Times (shared by Yahoo! News)
The world of luxury fruit: Does a $156 melon taste sweeter?
“Some of the fruits have long been given as gifts, especially in Japan and Korea. That trend is catching on in the United States … and as the luxury goods industry has grown, so too has the interest in luxury fruit. ‘The market has become much more global (and) you can buy anything you want.’”
— Soyeon Shim, Elizabeth Holloway Schar Dean of the School of Human Ecology and Ted Kellner Bascom Professor of Consumer Science
Wiley (shared by MSN and Medical Xpress)
Do abortion policy changes affect young women’s mental health?
“The survey data shows just how strongly people feel about abortion policies.”
— J. Michael Collins, Fetzer Family Chair in Consumer and Personal Finance and professor of Consumer Science
“Younger women are highly aware of state-level abortion policy changes, and this awareness can take a toll on their mental health. The contrast with younger men in the same states highlights a notable gender gap in response to these policies.”
— Vivekananda Das, PhD Human Ecology: Consumer Behavior & Family Economics alum
The Conversation (shared by Yahoo! News and the Associated Press)
Men are carrying the brunt of the ‘loneliness epidemic’ amid potent societal pressures
“Traditional definitions of masculinity emphasize the importance of men’s role as breadwinners. An uncertain economy and increasingly expensive housing and food prices make the ability to financially provide for a family elusive for many men. These factors also undermine men’s sense of self and contribute to loneliness and feelings of isolation.
As partners and fathers, men are still often perceived as deficient if they can’t provide economically. And societal norms stress that they are not valued for their capacity as caregivers, even if they are more involved in raising their children than ever before.”
— Alvin Thomas, associate professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Phyllis Northway Faculty Fellow, and Quinn Kinzer, PhD Human Ecology: Consumer Behavior & Family Economics candidate
cNN (shared by AOL)
The latest shopping trend? Not shopping
“A more apt term for underconsumption would be normal consumption. But the trend is an intuitive, direct counter to what critics call overconsumption… ‘It’s really pushing back against this idea that you need to constantly be buying things to have a happy and fulfilling life.’”
— Megan Doherty Bea, assistant professor of Consumer Science
Wisconsin Examiner (shared by Yahoo! News and The 74)
Proponents say universal school meals could fill in the gaps for Wisconsin students
“There are actually a lot of children and families who are food-insecure, but who don’t actually meet the federal threshold for eligibility for free or reduced school meals. … School meals are literally the only thing that is economically means tested. Everything else kids participate in, regardless of their household income status — like math class, English class, busing — they’re not being charged a different amount or getting a different service necessarily that is tied to their household income status.”
— Jennifer Gaddis, associate professor of Civil Society & Community Studies
We look forward to learning even more from the inspiring individuals who make up our school in 2025!