Newswise — Experts at The University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts are available to discuss a host of earthquake-related topics, from disaster response and relief to social and political conflicts to the causes and effects of large-scale natural disasters.
Jean-Elie Belleroche Graduate Student Department of French and Italian
Born and raised in Haiti, Belleroche studied journalism at Haiti State University and taught French and Haitian literatures in high schools in Port-au-Prince. He worked as a news journalist and talk show host for numerous radio stations in Haiti and is available to share commentary on the day-to-day life of the Haiti community, and how they turn to local radio stations for comfort.
Jennifer Wilks Associate Professor Department of English
Wilks’ research interests include comparative black modernism and Caribbean literature. She is available to comment on general humanitarian conditions in Haiti and national response issues. She is an affiliate of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies and the Program in Comparative Literature.
Kurt Weyland Lozano Long Professor in Latin American PoliticsDepartment of Government
Weyland specializes in democratization, market reform, social policy and populism in Latin America. He is available to share commentary on general topics such as the severity of the earthquake, disaster response, and the increased desperation for medical attention and financial aid.
William Glade Professor EmeritusDepartment of Economics
Glade’s areas of expertise include economic development in Latin America, comparative economic systems and international cultural relations. He is available to comment on the earthquake’s lasting economic impact on Haiti, and the costs of rebuilding the affected areas.
Raja SwamyGraduate Student, Assistant InstructorDepartment of Anthropology
Raja Swamy specializes in the political economy of post-disaster reconstruction in South India, neoliberalism, globalization and development. He can share his views on the role of multilateralagencies, nongovernmental organizations and governments in addressing the needs of affected communities. He can also discuss the need to ensure that post-disaster reconstruction does not further marginalize sections of the population that are already vulnerable. He is available for print and online media only.
Edgardo Latrubesse Associate ProfessorDepartment of Geography and the Environment
Latrubesse specializes in geomorphology-related disasters in Latin America He is available to comment on how earthquakes work, and Haiti’s high risk for a major earthquake. He is the editor of “Natural Hazards and Human-Exacerbated Disasters in Latin America.” Latrubesse is available for print and online media only.
Jemima PierreAssistant ProfessorDepartment of Anthropology
Pierre researches the culture and politics of African diaspora populations. Her research focuses on transnational migration, black immigrants in the United States, urban U.S. race relations, and West African society and politics. She has also worked for Fondation Avenir, a Haitian nongovernmental organization. A native of Haiti, Pierre is available to share commentary on topics such as the Haitian diaspora in the United States and elsewhere, past and current U.S. relations with Haiti and the Caribbean, black immigrant identities in the United States, Haitian culture and politics, grassroots organizing in Haiti, and the global politics of aid.
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