The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University stands ready to assist local elected leaders in the performance of their duties, particularly in the face of the rising COVID-19 pandemic. The school is staunchly bipartisan and promotes civil discourse above all else. The professors, many of them practitioners themselves, strive to be on the leading edge of political scholarship in their research, publishing, and teaching. Their insight to the Coronavirus crisis may be invaluable to national, state, and local political leadership in keeping constituents, the environment, and businesses safe. For media queries, contact Buzz McClain, bmcclai2@gmu.edu.
CENTERS, INSTITUTES, AND INITIATIVES
Center for Regional Analysis. Directed by Terry Clower, the CRA provides research and technical assistance focusing on the economic, workforce, fiscal, demographic, housing, and social issues that shape the future growth of the Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. areas. Contact: Terry Clower, 703-993-8419, tclower@gmu.edu.
Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy. Led by transportation expert Jonathan Gifford, the center advances research, education, and public service in the understanding of public-private partnership policy in the transportation sector. Contact: Jonathan Gifford, 703-993-2275, jgifford@gmu.edu.
Emergency Management. Director of the Centers on the Public Service Tonya Neaves conducts research, provides training and education, and offers thought leadership to advance the work of management officials across all sectors of government. Her areas of expertise include community resilience, traffic safety, infrastructure, rural mortality, and similar fields. Contact: Tonya Neaves, 703-993-9377, tneaves@gmu.edu.
Gender and Policy Center (GAP). Directed by Bonnie Stabile, GAP addresses a growing area of interest in the field of gender diversity in public policy and politics. The GAP initiative tackles topics in the areas of women’s representation in elective politics and public authority, public affairs education, women’s health and wellbeing, gender-based violence, and gender disparities in areas such as immigration. Contact: Bonnie Stabile, 703-993-8566, bstabile@gmu.edu.
The Stephen S. Fuller Institute for Research on the Washington Region’s Economic Future. Led by Director Jeannette Chapman, the Fuller Institute is the premier source for information about, and analysis of, Greater Washington’s regional economy. Through consistent monitoring of regional issues and the economy, the Fuller Institute identifies critical conditions and trends for the region’s future vitality. Contact: Jeannette Chapman, 703-993-2274, jchapm13@gmu.edu.
EXPERTS
Biodefense: Gregory Koblentz researches and teaches biodefense; biosecurity; international security; and nuclear, bio, and chemical weapons. He also is an expert on disease containment within locales and is program director of the Schar School's graduate programs in biodefense. Contact: 703-993-1266, gkoblent@gmu.edu.
Elections: Political scientist Jennifer Victor studies the U.S. Congress, legislative organization and behavior, social network methods, campaign finance, lobbying, and political parties. Contact: 703-993-3202, jvictor3@gmu.edu.
Environment: Todd M. LaPorte’s research interests include climate change adaptation policy and governance as well as organizational and social resiliency. He also has worked on the use and impacts of networked information technologies, public attitudes to technology and homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, and organizational responses to extreme events, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Contact: 703-993-3351, tlaporte@gmu.edu.
Ethics: After a career as a leader in federal agencies, Sheldon Edner studies and teaches ethics and administrations, as well as third-party governance, intergovernmental relations, and emergency management. Contact: 703-993-3973, sedner@gmu.edu.
Fiscal Budgeting: Frank Shafroth is a longtime Arlington/Alexandria resident and an expert on federal and local governance. He served on the staff of U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and is a member of the Supreme Court Bar. He studies municipal bankruptcy, ethics, leadership, urban policy, and other areas of governance. Contact: 703-993-8560, fshafrot@gmu.edu.
Housing: Katrin B. Anaker studies housing, poverty, race, and urban affairs. She is presently at work on a comprehensive study of the development of Reston, Va. Contact: 703-993-8215, kanacker@gmu.edu.
Immigration: Justin Gest is a widely published expert on immigration policy and demographic change. He studies local, national, and international immigration issues. Contact: jgest@gmu.edu.
Labor: Maurice Kugler focuses on the role of new technologies in boosting economic growth and labor productivity. His work encompasses analyses of productivity growth, global labor markets, foreign direct investment, global value chains, human capital formation, international trade, and international migration. Contact: mkugler@gmu.edu.
Microeconomics: John S. Earle’s interests are in labor, development, transition, and institutions, including topics such as employment policies, financial constraints, reallocation, productivity, and entrepreneurship. Contact: 703-993-1780, earle@gmu.edu.
Nonprofit: Alan Abrahamson is Founding Director of Mason’s Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy and is a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He teaches, conducts research, and works with leaders on a broad range of nonprofit and philanthropic issues. Contact: 703-993-8189, aabramso@gmu.edu.
Trade Policy: Stuart Malawer was a member of the Virginia Governor’s trade missions with Senators Warner and Kaine to China, India, and Japan. In recent years he has travelled to Russia, Dubai, Brazil, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. He is an expert in foreign policy, international trade law, state economic development, and the World Trade Organization. Contact: 703-993-8215, stuartmalawer@msn.com.
State and Local Governments: Robert McGrath’s focus is on how formal and informal governmental institutions interact to create policies in democracies. Federalism, health policy, and legislatures are among his specialties. He’s also director of the Almanac of Virginia Politics, a compendium of past and present elected leaders throughout the Commonwealth. Contact: 703-993-4567, rmcgrat2@gmu.edu.