West Virginia University experts are offering commentary on the shooting of two Virginia journalists that played out on live television and social media yesterday (August 26).

James Nolan, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, teaches courses in the area of crime and social control.

His research currently focuses on police procedures, crime measurement, hate crimes and homicide. Nolan is a former police officer who also worked for the FBI as a unit chief in the Crime Analysis, Research and Development Unit that provided management oversight for the National Hate Crime Data Collection Program.

Nolan is available to offer commentary to the media. He can be reached at 304.293.8582 or 304.657.0516 or jim.nolan@mail.wvu.edu. Additional information is also available at WVU’s Research Center on Violence.

Amy Kovac-Ashley is a visiting assistant professor in the Reed College of Media and managing director of the college’s Media Innovation Center.

Kovac-Ashley has more than a dozen years of experience as a professional journalist. She was the first social media editor for The Washington Post. She also worked at The Roanoke Times, where she was part of the team that covered the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007.

Kovac-Ashley is available to offer commentary to the media. She can be reached at 304.293.8548 or amy.kovacashley@mail.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University experts can provide commentary, insights and opinions on various news topics. Search for an expert by name, title, area of expertise or college/school/department in the Experts Database at WVU Today.

-WVU-

ms/08/27/15

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