Researchers and experts in psychology, science, business and education are available for commentary on topics and issues related to the anniversary of September 11. Brief descriptions are provided below.
REBROADCAST OF 9/11 NEWSCLIPS COULD TRIGGER POST-TRAUMATIC STRESSCommemoration of the 9/11 tragedies may trigger episodes of post-traumatic stress in people who suffer from the disorder, says Nancy Smyth, associate professor in the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. An expert on psychological trauma, Smyth says rebroadcast of newsclips showing the tragic events could cause survivors to "relive" the events. "They won't just be remembering what happened," she says. "They'll actually feel like it's happening again." Anniversaries of traumatic events commonly cause episodes of post-traumatic stress, and are particularly difficult for trauma victims, Smyth says. "It's helpful to plan to spend these anniversaries with people you care about, especially to share some type of personally meaningful commemorative activity." Viewing newsclips of the tragedies could also trigger anxiety in people who suffer from post-trauma stress due to events unrelated to 9/11. " Even though these people haven't actually been through the traumatic event personally, if feels like they have," Smyth explains.
BUSH's CHARISMA QUOTIENT SPIKED AFTER 9/11 BUT NOW IS WAVERINGPresident Bush's made the right moves to boost his image as a leader after 9/11 but his leadership persona is wavering in wake of the many corporate scandals, says a University at Buffalo researcher who studies the elements of charisma and leadership.
"A person's ability to appear decisive, bold and in control in a crisis is a major component of what makes him or her appear to be charismatic, and a good leader," explains James Meindl, a professor of organization and human resources. According to Meindl's research, there's a "honeymoon period" for leaders during a crisis but leaders who fail to adapt or respond to changing circumstances/situations after the crisis usually become less charismatic. "The corporate scandals are certainly less an emergency situation than was 9/11, but the way Bush adapts his leadership style to react to the scandals is an important part of being able to lead effectively," Meindl says.
STUDENTS NOT AFRAID TO TRAVEL ABROADAfter 9/11 many universities thought interest in study abroad programs would wane because students, and their parents, would be fearful of international travel. Not so, says Stephen Dunnett, vice provost for international programs at the University at Buffalo. Dunnett reports a 31 percent increase in enrollment in the university's study abroad program, and says many universities report similar student interest. "We now provide safety orientation programs for students traveling abroad and have developed a system for maintaining regular or emergency contact with students. This is especially reassuring to parents," Dunnett says.
COUNTER-TERRORISM RESEARCH A PRIORITY AT UNIVERSITIESFrom design of terrorist-resistant buildings to development of devices to detect airborne bioagents, post-9/11 counterterrrorism research is a new priority in many university labs. "Our scientists can help keep us safe," says Jaylan S. Turkkan, University at Buffalo vice president for research. Turkkan says the University at Buffalo is among many universities are aggressively pursuing millions of dollars in research funding available through the Department of Homeland Security. Buffalo researchers are involved in projects to determine the author of the anthrax letters, improve airport baggage security and assess the effects of bioagents on human cells.
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