With the season of costumes and trick-or-treating in full swing, the University of South Florida is offering an array of experts to discuss Halloween topics 鈥� from staying safe on the streets, to mental health concerns, to the consumer spending that鈥檚 driving the billion-dollar business of Halloween.
Listed below are some of USF鈥檚 experts by topic. If there is interest in a topic not listed, is another great resource to easily locate faculty members by keyword, expertise or college. Members of the media interested in an interview are asked to contact Ryan Hughes at rphughes@usf.edu or 215-704-3182.
Pedestrian Safety on Halloween
Jason Jackman, senior research associate in the Center for Urban Transportation Research: An expert on pedestrian and bicycle safety, Jackman can talk about safety for drivers
and trick-or-treaters.
鈥淲e want people to be aware of their surroundings. Simple tips for drivers, walkers
and bicyclists can certainly make for a safe and enjoyable Halloween for everyone.鈥�
Keeping Safe: Crime Prevention
YongJei Lee, assistant professor of criminology: Lee is an expert in criminology and crime prevention who can point to an uptick
in criminal activity on Oct. 31 based on the past three years of crime data.
鈥淔rom vandalism to drug-related incidents, we鈥檝e observed a notable increase in inappropriate
activity on Halloween night.鈥�
Food Safety
Jill Roberts, associate professor of public health: Roberts is an expert on food safety and can offer ways to help ensure candy is safe
for kids to eat.
鈥淥ur little ones will be ecstatic Halloween night and the days following, so we must
ensure their candy doesn鈥檛 contain tiny pieces that can become choking hazards. In
addition, there鈥檚 a long-standing program called the 鈥楾eal Pumpkin Project.鈥� Participants
place teal-colored pumpkins outside of their home on Halloween indicating homes that
are food allergy safe.鈥�
Halloween and Mental Health
Kristin Kosyluk, associate professor in the Department of Mental Health Law & Policy: Kosyluk focuses on mental health and can talk about what some individuals may experience
during the last week of October.
鈥淗alloween can cause anxiety, especially among introverted people who don鈥檛 gravitate
toward parties or social gatherings. We must also be cognizant of costumes that may
trigger fears in people or poke fun at others.鈥�
Marketing and Consumer Spending
Carol Osborne, senior instructor of marketing and promotion: Osborne is an expert on consumer behavior, marketing, advertising and branding. She
has seen consumer spending skyrocket in the weeks leading up to Halloween.
鈥淔rom candy to costumes, Halloween spending is on the rise. The National Retail Federation
says Halloween spending is expected to reach $11.6 billion this year.鈥�
Dipayan Biswas, professor of marketing: An expert in sensory marketing, AI, digital marketing, online shopping and retail
atmosphere, Biswas can discuss smart technologies - along with color, scent, and other
sensations -- in relation to Halloween marketing, costumes and food.
鈥淎I and other smart technologies will start playing important roles for Halloween.鈥�