The holiday season is here, but Canadians are facing mounting challenges including soaring inflation, social and political tensions, unemployment, and a nationwide housing crisis that will continue to shape lives well into the new year. Dalhousie’s faculty experts can provide timely insights on these pressing issues and some festive topics; helping your audiences understand what’s ahead and how it impacts them.

Winter’s hidden crisis: Housing and homelessness in the cold months
As temperatures drcp, the risks for people experiencing homelessness rise dramatically. Dr. Jeff Karabanow, Associate Director and Professor in Dalhousie’s School of Social Work can speak to:

• Winter housing crisis: Why cold weather intensifies the dangers for unhoused individuals and what emergency measures are most effective
• Policy and community responses: How municipalities and provinces can address shelter shortages and improve access to safe housing
• Long-term solutions: Strategies to reduce homelessness beyond seasonal fixes, including affordable housing initiatives and social supports

Dr. Karabanow can provide insights and practical recommendations to help audiences understand the scope of the issue and what can be done to protect vulnerable populations this winter.

Rising costs, lagging wages and high unemployment: What afordability means for Canadians in 2026
From power bills to property taxes, Canadians incomes aren’t keeping up with price increases, and many are feeling the squeeze - what’s driving affordability and what can be done? Dr. Lars Osberg, Professor in Dalhousie’s Department of Economics can speak on:

• Income drivers: Why jobs are hard to get, wages have stagnated and there’s not much support for the unemployed.
• Price drivers: Why costs for power, water, property taxes, and food continue to rise
• Impact on households: Who has been winning and who has been losing when prices rise faster than wages?
• Looking ahead: What to expect in 2026
• What can be done?: Affordability, living wages and the distribution of income

Dr. Osberg can provide insights into the economic forces behind these trends and offer practical advice for individuals and policymakers.

Holiday travel & tourism: What Canadians need to know this season
The holiday season is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and this year brings unique challenges and opportunities for travelers and the tourism industry. Dr. Lorn Sheehan, Professor in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management can speak to:

• Holiday travel trends: Where Canadians are going and what’s influencing destination choices
• Impact of costs: How inflation and rising expenses affect holiday travel plans
• Tourism industry outlook: What businesses can expect this season and how they’re adapting to changing consumer behavior

Dr. Sheehan can provide timely insights and practical advice for media stories on holiday travel and tourism.

Holiday pressure: Perfectionism and mental wellness
The holiday season is often portrayed as joyful and flawless - but for many, the pressure to create the “perfect” celebration can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Dr. Simon Sherry, Professor in Dalhousie’s Department of Psychology and can speak on:

• Perfectionism and holiday stress: Why striving for the ideal holiday can harm mental health
• Managing expectations: Practical strategies to reduce pressure and focus on what truly matters
• Mental wellness tips: How to maintain balance and well-being during one of the busiest times of the year

Dr. Sherry can provide evidence-based insights and advice to help audiences navigate holiday stress and protect their mental health.

Avoiding holiday scams: How to spot red flags and stay safe
The holiday season is prime time for scammers - fake charities, fraudulent shopping sites, and phishing texts often increase during this time of year. Dr. Nur Zincir-Heywood professor in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science, can share expert insights on:

• Top holiday scams to watch for - Fake charity appeals, counterfeit shopping websites, phishing emails and texts, and gift card fraud schemes
• Spotting red flags before it’s too late: How to verify legitimate charities, recognize suspicious links and payment requests, and avoid common traps in online shopping and text scams
• Practical protection tips: Simple steps to secure your devices, shop safely online, and protect your personal and financial information
• What’s being done about it: How law enforcement and cybersecurity experts are responding to the surge in holiday cybercrime.

Dr. Zincir-Heywood can provide practical advice to help audiences enjoy the holiday season without falling victim to scams.

Peace on earth - Peace deals in Gaza and Ukraine – What’s possible?
As conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine continue to dominate global headlines, questions about peace negotiations and diplomatic solutions are more urgent than ever. Dr. Robert Huish, Associate Professor in Dalhousie’s Department of International Development Studies can speak to:

• Current state of peace talks: Where negotiations stand and what obstacles remain for both conflicts
• Lessons from past agreements: What history teaches us about successful peace deals and why these situations are uniquely challenging
• What to expect in 2026: Key players, geopolitical pressures, and potential pathways toward resolution

Dr. Huish can provide analysis and context to help audiences understand the complexities behind these conflicts and the prospects for peace.

Canada’s political crossroads: What happened in 2025 and what’s next in 2026
2025 was a pivotal year in Canadian politics, marked by major developments that will shape the country’s future. Dr. Lori Turnbull, Professor in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management can speak to:

• Key events of the past year: Leadership changes, election outcomes, and policy shifts that dominated headlines
• Emerging trends: How public opinion and party strategies are evolving amid economic and social pressures
• What to expect in 2026: Upcoming political challenges, possible election scenarios, and issues likely to dominate the national conversation

Dr. Turnbull can provide in-depth analysis and context to help audiences understand where Canadian politics has been—and where it’s headed.

Note - Interviews will be accommodated based on Faculty members schedules.