New Expert Requests:
1. Public bathrooms and the pandemic: How easily does the coronavirus spread in public bathrooms? And are there ways to stay safe using them in parks, restaurants and elsewhere? We’re looking for a health scholar to write a short article explaining the risks and best practices for staying safe when you’ve got to go.
Contact: Stacy Morford, stacy.morford@theconversation.com
Timing: Contact editor by Wednesday, May 27
2. Churches as essential: As places of worship begin to reopen after being designated as “essential,” we are looking for a scholar of religion to explore whether the physical spaces/buildings in and of themselves are “essential,” and if so, why?
Contact: Matt Williams, matt.williams@theconversation.com
Timeline: Contact editor by Thursday, May 28
3. History of outdoor worship: Amid concerns of spread of coronavirus as places of worship reopen, there has been a revival in the interest of outdoor worship. We are looking for a scholar who can write a piece looking at the history of worshipping outside — which religions/denominations have practiced it and why, and how it might be a solution for today.
Contact: Matt Williams, matt.williams@theconversation.com
Timeline: Contact editor by Thursday, May 28
4. States and cities falling off a cliff: “States face revenue shortfalls exceeding 20 percent,” announces the headline in a story in Governing Magazine. We’d like a scholar to describe what these shortfalls will mean on the ground to the average resident of a state. What cuts are already being made in states? What budget items cannot be cut?
Contact: Naomi Schalit, naomi.schalit@theconversation.com
Timeline: Contact editor by Friday, May 29
