UVA Darden in the Media: From COVID-19 to Return to Work, Professors Offer Insights on Key Issues

Professors at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business are renowned as world-class teachers. Their subject matter expertise also makes them sought-after experts in the media on a range of topics.

From The New York Times to USA Today, leading global publications sought members of the Darden faculty in the first half of 2021 to discuss everything from the race to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the future of work.

Below are 10 media highlights from a record-breaking period of media impressions.

USA Today: “What Does Victory Against the COVID-19 Pandemic Look Like? USA Today’s Vaccine Panel Weighs In”
Professor Vivian Riefberg was part of a recurring panel of vaccine experts called on repeatedly by USA Today in 2020–21. She offered insights into the state of vaccine development and logistical challenges inherent in trying to vaccinate the world.

Associated Press: “Super Bowl Ads Went For Light Humor. Not All Succeeded“
Professor Kimberly Whitler remains a valued source for breaking down the annual Super Bowl ad extravaganza, offering her take on what worked and what didn’t in an interview with the Associated Press.

The Washington Post: “Burger King Sparks Uproar With ‘Women Belong in the Kitchen’”
Professor Tami Kim weighed in on what happens when well-intentioned marketing efforts go terribly awry in The Washington Post.

The New York Times: “Rescue Package Includes $86 Billion for Failing Pensions”
Professor James Naughton is a foremost expert on underfunded pension plans, which makes him a go-to for writers digging into the issue. Here, he offers insights in The New York Times.

Financial Times: “Digital Upstarts Pitch Alt-MBAs to Learners in a Hurry”
Anne Trumbore, executive director of digital at Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning, discusses the evolving marketplace for business education in a piece in Financial Times.

Financial Times: “Shares of Black Employees in Senior U.S. Finance Roles Falls Despite Diversity Efforts”
Professor and Chief Global Diversity Officer Martin Davidson considers the evolving paths for underrepresented minorities on Wall Street.

The Washington Post: “Future-Ready Your Career”
Dean Scott Beardsley considers the state of the workplace after decades of exponential technological growth, and how Darden professors are unpacking what it all means for tomorrow’s leaders.

The Hill: “How Will We Know if Biden’s Agenda Succeeds or Fails?”
Lecturer Nick Sargen has produced a series of opinion pieces for The Hill, frequently writing on the economic impact of policy coming out of Washington, D.C.

Associated Press: “Oprah and CNN: AT&T Is Merging Media Business With Discovery”
Professor Raj Venkatesan, in an interview with the Associated Press, discussed the value that subscribers to streaming services receive. (Venkatesan is leading the Executive Education & Lifelong Learning course “Digital Marketing Innovation,” beginning 9 August.)

The New York Times: “Return to Office? Some Women of Color Aren’t Ready”
Professor Laura Morgan Roberts is quoted in The New York Times on the unique workplace considerations for women of color. Many women have historically worked in environments that have not been physically, psychologically or emotionally sage, Roberts said.