EXPERTS ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan experts are available to comment on the backlash from an Indian American crowned Miss America, a win that set off race-related comments in social media.

Here are some experts who can share their perspective:

Scott Kurashige is a professor of American culture. His research focuses on Asian/Pacific American history, U.S. urban history/Los Angeles and Detroit, and comparative race and ethnicity. Contact: kurashig@umich.edu, (734) 647-3341.

Ram Mahalingam is an associate professor of psychology. He examines the relationship between power, representation of social groups and psychological well-being. Contact: ramawasi@umich.edu, (734) 763-0049.

Aswin Punathambekar is an associate professor of communication studies. His research focuses on South Asians and global media. He can comment on the representation of South Asians in the media. Contact: aswinp@umich.edu, (734) 615-0949.

Scott Campbell is an associate professor of communication studies. He examines the social implications of new media and can comment on the how social media functions in a news situation. Contact: swcamp@umich.edu, (734) 764-8106.

Eric Plemons, a cultural anthropologist, has done research on femininity, sex and gender, as well as how people define beauty. His current book project, The Look of a Woman, examines Facial Feminization Surgery, a series of bone and soft tissue reconstructive surgeries intended to feminize the faces of male-to-female transwomen. Contact: eplemons@umich.edu, (734) 936-7974.