ProfNet Experts Available on Copyright Law, Education and Technology, Law Enforcement, More

NEW YORK, April 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

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EXPERT ALERTS

• Dispute Over 'Fearless Girl' and 'Charging Bull' Statues
• Supreme Court: Trinity Lutheran v. Pauley
• Relationship-Building Between Law Enforcement and the Community
• The Increased Strain on Law Enforcement
• The Future of Learning is Personal
• Preparing College Students for Life After Graduation
• Liberal Arts Education in the World of STEM

MEDIA JOBS

• Reporter, Energy Policy / EPA – The Wall Street Journal
• Market Reporter – ICIS
• Reporter – The Bond Buyer

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• How to Create Viral Content That Wants to Be Shared – in 6 Steps
• Freelancers: Don't Make These Five Mistakes That Kill Your Credibility
• Blog Profiles: Librarian Blogs

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EXPERT ALERTS:

Dispute Over 'Fearless Girl' and 'Charging Bull' Statues
Kevin L Smith
Dean of Libraries, University of Kansas
University of Kansas
Smith can discuss the dispute over the "Fearless Girl" and "Charging Bull" statues in New York, the associated copyrights for each, copyright law and intellectual property: "This case is especially interesting since it involves a relatively new provision of the copyright act, the Visual Artists' Rights Act of 1990, which secures some specific 'moral rights' for a limited group of visual artists. Interpretation of VARA has been difficult for the courts, and this case could really push on the issue of what a right of integrity, not recognized in any other part of U.S. copyright law, really entails. How much, we might ask, should an artist be able to control the meaning of his or her own work?"
Contact: Mike Krings, [email protected]

Supreme Court: Trinity Lutheran v. Pauley
Daniel Conkle
Professor
Indiana University's Maurer School of Law
"The Supreme Court in recent decades has moved steadily toward a 'neutrality' understanding of the First Amendment's Establishment Clauses. Under this approach, the government generally is free to include religious organizations in otherwise general programs of funding, for example, through voucher programs for private schools. At the same time, in the interest of federalism, the Court has permitted states, applying state constitutional law, to enforce a stricter separation of church and state. Missouri has denied funding for the church playground based upon a state constitutional provision. But by denying the funding the state has effectively discriminated against church-sponsored daycares, presenting the question of whether the state constitutional provision itself violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment," says Conkle. "The question is whether the First Amendment requires neutrality between religious and nonreligious organizations, and if so, then the state constitutional provision will have to give way. Many state constitutions include provisions similar to Missouri's, so as a result, the Court's decision could have broad implications."
Conkle is available to comment on the oral arguments in Trinity Lutheran v. Pauley (4/19). According to Conkle, the case raises important issues, not only about church-state separation, but also about federalism and the intersection of state and federal constitutional law. An expert on the intersection of constitutional law and religion, Conkle is the author of Constitutional Law: The Religion Clauses, which provides a theoretical and conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating the components of the Supreme Court's constitutional doctrine. His research addresses constitutional law and theory, religious liberty and the role of religion in American law, politics and public life. Conkle is also a Nelson Poynter Scholar at the Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions.
Bio: http://www.law.indiana.edu/about/people/bio.php?name=conkle-daniel-o
Website: http://www.law.indiana.edu
Contact: Kemba Neptune, [email protected]

Relationship-Building Between Law Enforcement and the Community
Bill Cassell
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
The importance of fostering understanding between police departments and the communities they serve through pro-active education and relationship building has never been more apparent. Says Cassell: "Community policing is an essential step in building trust between local departments and the communities they serve. In light of today's divisive political environment pro-active outreach is a necessary relationship building step. Unfortunately, race relations and secure communities have been in the spotlight lately. No strategy that encourages officers to target certain racial or ethnic groups is going to turn out to be positive in today's culture. Local cooperation, mutual respect and education about use of force policies are key to increasing understanding of not only police work but of each other."
Cassell is a retired law enforcement and chief of police, with over two decades of experience, most of which spent teaching others. In his role as manager at the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice he planned, implemented and managed instructors for all law enforcement officer trainings across the state. Cassell has numerous certifications, in topics such as situational leadership, ethics, and community vulnerability assessment methodology.  In addition to these topics he is available to discuss ethics in policing, leadership and communications training, and the role of social media and technology in police departments.
Contact: Jessica Brown, [email protected]

The Increased Strain on Law Enforcement
Dr. Walter E. Stroupe
Chair & Graduate Coordinator, Criminal Justice Department at West Virginia State University
West Virginia State University
Charleston, WV
The current challenges and controversies surrounding law enforcement departments include issues related to officer shortage, inadequate agency budgets, and public policy impacting state and local police departments. Says Dr. Stroupe: "Lost in our national conversation over policing is that America's social services are coming under an enormous amount of stress. We are seeing increased burnout and retirements across the spectrum, from child protective service workers and teachers to emergency responders, and it has been up to law enforcement to pick up the slack without increased budgets and staff. These new roles in policing are leading to departments stretched thin, funding shortages, and an overall inability to improve services. What law enforcement agencies across the country need now are more dedicated funds so that they can effectively adjust to new responsibilities, recruit better officers, and implement long-term strategies for their communities." 
Dr. Stroupe has over 20 years of law enforcement experience, including as a state Field Trooper, First Lieutenant, and retiring as the Assistant Director of Training at the West Virginia State Police Academy. He has been involved in developing and instructing criminal justice curriculum, including classes in race and gendered issues, domestic terrorism, sex crimes, and community oriented policing.
Contact: Michael Timberlake, [email protected]

The Future of Learning is Personal
Dr. Mickey Blackwell
Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Education
West Virginia State University
Charleston, WV
With advancements in the use of technology and student data in the classroom, personalized education initiatives are the future. Says Dr. Blackwell "Personalized learning is where we are all headed. Soon every child will have their own plans, tailored tests, and teachers will know in real-time how that student is performing. It will be up to teachers, with the help of their administrators, to craft new materials, exercises, and tasks that can bring out the best in their students. Plus with the right support, states and districts can that embrace this learning revolution and will be better equipped to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their students and what teachers need to be successful in the classroom. This is an immense challenge for the education system, but it will pay endless dividends if fully supported by teachers, policymakers, and parents."
Dr. Blackwell has over 30 years of experience in teaching and school administration, including serving as superintendent and principal at multiple schools, and currently is the executive director for the West Virginia Association for Elementary and Middle School Principals. Dr. Blackwell can speak to developing district-based curriculum goals and related staff development and staff, as well as the impact of public policy on state public school educators and school administrators. 
Contact: Michael Timberlake, [email protected]

Preparing College Students for Life After Graduation
Marjorie Silverman
Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Internship Studies
FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) State University of New York
New York, NY
The transition of college students to the working world can be extremely challenging and stressful. Says Silverman: "The pressure on college students is at a dangerous level. Student debt, academic demands and a highly competitive job market leave college students overwhelmed, overstressed and exhausted. It has never been more urgent for higher education institutions to provide real-life experiential education that prepares the student for life after graduation."
Working with leading employers in multiple industries, her areas of concentration include engaging students in an increasingly distracted world, expanding opportunities and commitments for non-traditional age students and innovative experiential educational programming. Silverman holds an M.A.in Organizational Psychology/Leadership from Columbia University.
Contact: Ken Ferber, [email protected]

Liberal Arts Education in the World of STEM
David Harrity
English Professor, School of Arts and Sciences
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
"We continually hear about the important role STEM education plays in regards to job opportunities. I argue that the movement toward pragmatic STEM education is creating a loss in the way people approach debate, communication and creativity. I see STEM degrees and liberal arts degrees as equally important. The ability to express differing opinions and take part in active listening is becoming an increasingly important skill needed to be effective in our deeply divided communities today. The philosophy behind a liberal arts education is for students to be exposed to challenging and thought provoking ideas. If we are truly committed to seeing the next generation succeed, we need to place equal value on both STEM and liberal arts education."
An established writer, Professor Harrity has authored a number of books focused on poetry and imagination's connection to theology. In addition to the creative writing process, Harrity can discuss the positive and negative links between social media and human connection as well as the cultural shift toward enhanced self-selection which means people are no longer forced to process information that is difficult, emotional or uncomfortable.
Contact: Jessica Brown, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Reporter, Energy Policy / EPA – The Wall Street Journal
• Market Reporter – ICIS
• Reporter – The Bond Buyer

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

• HOW TO CREATE VIRAL CONTENT THAT WANTS TO BE SHARED – IN 6 STEPS. You know the feeling: You see something on Facebook, Twitter, or Snapchat that you must share with friends. But what if you're on the other side of the coin, figuring out how to create content that people will want to share? How do you make something readers will want to put on their timelines? http://bit.ly/2pqS9Ao
• FREELANCERS: DON'T MAKE THESE 5 MISTAKES THAT KILL YOUR CREDIBILITY. The life of a freelancer can be exhilarating and full of surprises, but this career path is not without challenges. It's important to be aware and prepared once these challenges present themselves. Here are five credibility killers, and the steps you should take to tackle them: http://bit.ly/2pd9kT8
• BLOG PROFILES: LIBRARIAN BLOGS. Each week, PR Newswire's Audience Relations team selects an industry/subject and looks at a handful of sites that do a good job with promoting and contributing to the topic. This week, the team looks at librarian blogs: http://bit.ly/2pJv8F9

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