UAB Primary Election Analysts

As the state prepares for the June 4 primaries, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) professors will be available to provide analysis.

Posted on April 23, 2002 at 9:13 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — As the state prepares for the June 4 primaries, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) professors will be available to provide analysis.

Alabama’s Political History

Sam Webb, J.D., Ph.D. - Webb is an expert on Alabama’s political history. His book, Two Party Politics in the One Party South: Alabama Hill Country, 1874-1920, received the 1996 Anne B. and James B. McMillan Prize. He is co-editor of a new book Alabama Governors: A Political History of the State. The book is a collection of essays examining Alabama’s bizarre political background from 1798 to the present and the 54 governors who led the state. Webb is a former assistant attorney general for the state of Alabama and a former deputy district attorney for Jefferson County.

Election Strategies, Communications

Larry Powell, Ph.D. — Powell is a pollster and an expert on the methods politicians use to communicate with the public. His new book, Political Campaign Communications: Inside and Out (Allyn and Bacon), which he co-authored with Joseph Cowart, is due out in November. Powell has conducted numerous statewide opinion polls. In addition, he has worked as a press secretary, speechwriter and communications consultant for dozens of political candidates.

The Candidates: What Their Body Language Says About Them

Mark Hickson, Ph.D. — Hickson is available to discuss non-verbal communications as it relates to political speeches and debates. He has written numerous articles and books on nonverbal communications and organizational communications. He is the co-author of NVC: Non-Verbal Communications Studies and Applications. In addition, he has conducted numerous workshops and presentations on topics such as non-verbal communication and deception, communication styles and intercultural communications. Hickson is professor and chairman of the UAB Department of Communication Studies.

Speeches, Debates

John W. Wittig, Ph.D., APR — Wittig has taught and conducted research in public speaking, political communication, propaganda and public persuasion, and argumentation and debate. In addition, he has written several articles on public relations and crisis management. Hickson is a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies.