University of Texas at Austin professors and thought leaders are weighing in on key public policy debates and helping expand public understanding of complex issues through a new, wire-style news service that offers faculty-written columns, op-eds and analyses to news outlets across the state and country.
Through “Texas Perspectives,” UT Austin will present game-changing ideas with diverse points-of-view that are relevant to current events. The news service and accompanying webpage feature thought-provoking columns that adhere to journalistic best practices and Associated Press style guidelines.
“Across dozens of disciplines, UT Austin professors are developing and sharing ideas that will improve society and help create a more educated citizenry. Texas Perspectives gives them a voice in a variety of topics that will reach multiple audiences,” said UT Austin President Bill Powers.
In an era when resources for many news outlets continue to shrink, Texas Perspectives is designed to meet an increasing need in print, broadcast and online media for thoughtful, relevant content. No other Texas university is contributing to public discussion in this way.
Columns distributed through Texas Perspectives, which launched in March, have already appeared in major statewide and national online news publications. All content also appears on a university home page.
“Faculty have a valuable role to play in educating people beyond campus, and reaching a larger audience is key to that. This new service provides a great vehicle to advance policy discussion in multiple arenas,” said professor of sociology Rob Crosnoe, who penned an op-ed article about childhood obesity that appeared in the Texas media.
The university offers these opinion articles for publication at no charge, and media are free to publish the content on opinion pages, weekend review sections, Web channels or electronic or print newsletters, among other platforms. To view Texas Perspectives, please visit http://www.utexas.edu/know/texas-perspectives/.
