Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
February 1, 2002

Experts list on the Web

by Debra Gibson
ISU expertise is now just a click away.

The university's long-standing "experts list" has gone online, debuting Feb. 1. The Web version replaces the 104-page, spiral-bound sourcebook originally created to assist media reporters in identifying university specialists.

According to Steve Sullivan, manager of News Service, the decision to convert the publication to an electronic edition was based on several factors.

"Our printed version is several years old and in dire need of updating," Sullivan said. "Instead of killing a lot of trees, we decided to create an online version. This is cheaper and much more efficient -- we can constantly update it at no cost. We can also respond immediately to breaking news -- this would have been helpful during the anthrax situation, for instance."

Sullivan also noted the convenience to reporters, who now can turn to their laptop computers for university experts' assistance in researching stories. He anticipates the service will be used greatly during the coming Iowa political caucuses.

Faculty and staff sources are listed alphabetically online, and are cross-referenced by topics. The original sourcebook contained more than 300 names, and Sullivan anticipates greater campus representation on the Web version.

To access the online experts list, go to http://www.iastate.edu/experts. Faculty and staff who want to be added to the list, as well as those who would like to update their existing entries, should contact Sullivan, 4-3720, or sksulli@iastate.edu.