No Tricks or Treats: Just Halloween Advice from GW Experts


October 11, 2017

From discussing how to map out your route to maximize your candy haul to offering tips on removing that pesky costume makeup, George Washington University experts are available to provide commentary about Halloween.

GW’s Flash Studio, a state-of-the-art broadcast studio, is available for remote, live or taped television and radio interviews. The studio is operated in partnership with VideoLink.

To schedule an interview with the experts below, please contact GW Media Relations at 202-994-6460 or [email protected].

Jeffrey Cohen, professor of English, is an expert is monster theory and the history of monsters in literature. He can discuss the goblins and ghouls that haunt children throughout the Halloween season.

Lynda Maddox, professor of marketing, is an expert in retail and consumer behavior. She can discuss the “holiday creep” and whether Halloween is overshadowed by the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Christopher Leinberger, professor of real estate and urban development, can discuss the walkability of trick-or-treating, including how to map out your route to maximize your candy haul.

Jon Wood, assistant professor of religion, is an expert on the history of Christianity. He can discuss the Christian aspect of Halloween, including the special teachings and rituals meant to protect the relationship between the living and the dead.

To schedule interviews with experts from the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, please contact Kathy Fackelmann at 202-994-8354 or [email protected]

Allison Sylvetsky, assistant professor of exercise and nutrition sciences, can discuss best practices in healthy eating and nutrition. She also can provide tips to parents on how not to overindulge when sneaking candy out of their child’s plastic pumpkin.

To schedule interviews with experts from the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, please contact Lisa Anderson at 202-994-3121 or [email protected]

Dr. Adam Friedman, associate professor of dermatology, is an expert in skin infections and diseases. Dr. Friedman can speak about the proper removal methods for costume makeup and treatment of allergic reactions to costume materials, makeup and jewelry.

Robert Shesser, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, is an expert in emergency medicine administration. Dr. Shesser can speak about the reasons why Halloween is a busy time for emergency departments across the country.