UH Experts Available to Discuss Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

A grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri reaches a decision regarding police officer Darren Wilson and the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown. For perspective on this story, please call on these University of Houston experts. 

Vincent Willis, visiting scholar in the Department of African American Studies: He examines the activism of black youth in the South from 1954-1972. The purpose of his work is to elevate the historical voices and the actions of secondary-age students in hopes of broadening our conception of educational equality. Willis can be reached at 404-429-6825 or vdwillis@central.uh.edu

Temple Northup, assistant professor in the Valenti School of Communication: Northup can provide perspective on media coverage of the police and crime and how that impacts news consumers’ attitudes and beliefs on those topics and related events. He also can address media stereotyping. He can be reached at 713-743-1697 or at temple@uh.edu.

Sandra Guerra Thompson, professor of law: Thompson directs the UH Law Center’s Criminal Justice Institute. She teaches and writes in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure, wrongful convictions and evidence.  Reach her at 713-743-2134, 713-661-5422 or sgthompson@central.uh.edu.

Meredith J. Duncan, associate professor of law:  Her area of expertise includes criminal law and legal ethics. Duncan can be reached at 713-743-2019 or mduncan@uh.edu.

Ellen Marrus, research professor of law: Marrus’ area of expertise includes juvenile justice, legal representation and criminal procedure.  Reach her at 713-743-0894 or emarrus@uh.edu.

Marcia Walker-McWilliams, visiting scholar in the Department of African American Studies: Her area of expertise is African-American history, women’s history, 20th-century American history and social movements. She can be reached at 847-722-9212 or mawalker3@uh.edu.

Gerald Horne, professor in the Department of History: His research has addressed issues of racism in a variety of relations involving labor, politics, civil rights, international relations and war. Horne can be contacted at 713-384-5648 or at ghorne@uh.edu.