It could be today’s weather, the war in Iraq, the latest public health threat, or yesterday’s presidential debate. Whatever the news, chances are the media will turn to Rutgers for an expert who can offer knowledgeable insight and enhance the public’s awareness on the issue.

For years, the Office of Media Relations has helped connect regional and national media to university experts on topics ranging from scientific discoveries to world events. As a result, Rutgers experts in many disciplines have aided the public’s understanding of complex issues, while bringing positive attention to the university and to their own work.

But where phones and faxes once sufficed as couriers of information, the internet has become the medium of choice for many reporters looking to connect with experts. This fall, media relations launched a web-based experts directory to make it easier and faster to identify and access Rutgers experts. Located online at ur.rutgers.edu/experts, the directory is searchable by name and topic and allows reporters to identify appropriate sources who are available to speak with them.

Participation by faculty and staff in this service is voluntary, but David Robinson, professor and chair of the geography department – and one of Rutgers’ most oft-quoted experts – believes it serves a valuable purpose.

“As a faculty member at the state university, I consider it one of my obligations to reach out and inform the public about what we do. And most often, I find it a rewarding experience,” said Robinson, whose work as the state climatologist brings him into contact with the media 250 to 300 times a year – more “if there’s a drought” or other unusual weather conditions.

The online directory currently has close to 200 faculty and staff members willing to share their scholarly or professional expertise on a broad range of topics. Faculty and staff from all three campuses who teach, do research, provide services, or direct centers and institutes are included in the directory, which was developed in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research and Planning (OIRAP), creative services, and community affairs.

The experts directory works in conjunction with the university’s annual faculty survey administered by OIRAP. Faculty members can elect to be in the experts database when they fill out their faculty survey, or they can send email to experts@rutgers.edu for more information. Participants may choose not to be contacted by the media directly.

Robinson’s high profile is unusual and has brought him a “cult following of weather enthusiasts,” who email him frequently, but he’s most pleased with the impact the exposure has had with the public and his peers.

“There’s positive feedback for my programs and my department as a result,” he said.