A&S scholars sharing their expertise in the media this week

From a new analysis of the growing scale of plastic pollution around the world to the various ways the economic, cultural and political conditions of the United States impact Canada, scholars from a range of disciplines across the Faculty of Arts & Science are sharing their expertise on a variety of issues in the media.

Here’s some of what they had to say this week.

September 18, 2020

• Chelsea Rochman, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, speaks about her team’s latest recommendations for combating an overwhelming increase in plastic pollution over the coming decade in the BBC’s Science Focus magazine.
• Department of Economics professor Michael Smart comments on suggestions that Canadian deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland establish a fiscal anchor to safely manage the country’s finances in the Globe and Mail.
• Jessica Green, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and the School of the Environment, contributes to an op-ed in the Washington Post examining efforts made by oil companies to address climate change and operate with sustainability in mind.
• Lynette Ong, an associate professor in political science and the Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, comments on suggestions that Canada negotiate with China on a swap of detainees being held in both countries in the Globe and Mail.

September 19, 2020

• Robert Bothwell, a professor emeritus in the Department of History and the International Relations program at Trinity College, speaks about the legacy of former Canadian prime minister John Turner in the wake of his recent passing on CP24 News.

September 20, 2020

• Chelsea Rochman’s research study estimating the potential increase in plastic pollution over the next ten years is featured in Fox News.

September 21, 2020

• Professor Drew Fagan at the Munk School, discusses the positive impact of the new CUSMA international trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Globe and Mail.
• Professor Rafael Gomez, director of the Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurants on TVO’s The Agenda.
• Edward Jones-Imhotep, an associate professor and director of the Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science and Technology, joins a discussion on CBC Radio’s Ideas about the notion of the common good, and the familiar refrain of “we’re in this together” during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 22, 2020

• Professor emeritus Margaret MacMillan of history comments on the emergence of pandemic-prompted virtual diplomacy by members of the United Nations in an Associated Press story.
• Professor Peter Loewen of political science and the Munk School, along with U of T Scarborough cultural historian Daniel Bender, comment on the state of the nation in the United States leading up to the November election in the Toronto Star (paywall), and the observations of Canadians who are watching things unfold.
• Munk School director Michael Sabia discusses Canada’s steps to post-pandemic economic recovery on TVO’s The Agenda.

September 23, 2020

• Department of East Asian Studies assistant professor Michelle Cho comments on the influence of K-Pop on American cultural politics in the Washington Post.
• Professor Janice Stein of political science and the Munk School joins a discussion about the potential for conflict and turmoil within the United States following the general election in November on The Agenda.
• Michael Smart speaks about the effectiveness of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy introduced by the federal government to support workers whose jobs have been affected the COVID-19 pandemic in the Globe and Mail.

September 24, 2020

• Seika Boye, assistant professor, teaching stream at the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies, speaks about the opportunity and challenge in producing a series of outdoor dance performances it the amphitheatre in High Park in the Toronto Star.
• Peter Loewen speaks about the degree to which Canada’s economic prosperity is tied to that of the United States in the Toronto Star.