Laurier expert alert: U.S. inauguration

Jan. 18, 2021
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States will take place Wednesday, Jan. 20. Wilfrid Laurier University has several experts available to speak about topics related to the inauguration and the incoming administration.

Scott Blandford, assistant professor and program coordinator for Laurier’s Bachelor of Arts in Policing and Master of Public Safety programs, is a retired police officer with 30 years of service in operational and administrative positions. He is an expert in police training and organizational development issues. He is available to speak about how officials prepare for large events with security concerns, such as Biden’s inauguration ceremony. Contact: sblandford@wlu.ca

Ann Fitz-Gerald is the director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a professor in Laurier’s Department of Political Science. She is an expert in global security, security sector governance and peace and conflict. She has facilitated internationally sponsored peace talks and has advised, and been seconded to work with, a number of countries on issues relating to national security policy and strategy issues. She is available to speak about U.S. president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration and how the new leadership may impact international relations. Contact: 519.505.6466 or afitz-gerald@balsillieschool.ca

Simon Kiss is an associate professor in the Digital Media and Journalism program and is an expert on political communication, including the political role played by the news media, party politics and environmental politics. He is available to speak about U.S. president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, reaction from Donald Trump and his allies, and Trump’s upcoming impeachment trial. Contact: skiss@wlu.ca

Darren Mulloy, professor and chair in Laurier’s Department of History, is an expert on the history of the United States since the end of the Second World War, especially the history of political extremism. His most recent books have examined the history of the American radical right from the 1930s through to the presidency of Donald Trump, and the history of white supremacy, militias and white nationalism, from the Ku Klux Klan to the alt-right. He is available to comment on right- and left-wing extremism in the U.S. from 1945 to present. Contact: dmulloy@wlu.ca

Debora VanNijnatten, professor in the departments of Political Science and North American Studies, is an expert on environmental and climate change policy in North America; Canadian environmental politics; and transboundary cooperation on water management. She is available to speak about U.S. president-elect Joe Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and what this might mean for environmental policy in the United States and Canada. Contact: dvannijnatten@wlu.ca