USF faculty experts available for interviews on Halloween topics from how consumers can save money, to tariff impacts, to AI use

As Halloween approaches, the University of South Florida is offering a variety of faculty experts to discuss this year's trends and impacts. Topics include consumer spending and any potential price increases from tariffs, the use of artificial intelligence for party planning, as well as the psychology of fear. Our experts can also suggest ways shoppers can save -- from costumes to candy -- as they celebrate Halloween.

Listed below are some of USF's experts by topic. Members of the media interested in an interview are asked to reach out to Ryan Hughes.

If there is interest in a subject not listed, USF's Media Experts Guide is another great resource to easily locate faculty members by keyword, expertise or college.

Marketing and consumer spending/impact of tariffs

Michael Snipes, associate professor of instruction of economics: An expert on the economy, tariffs and trade, Snipes can speak to consumer spending and whether shoppers should expect to see an uptick in prices on Halloween-related products.

"Some businesses may absorb the tariffs through lower margins. Others may pass the cost on to the consumer."

Carol Osborne, senior instructor of marketing and promotion: Osborne is an expert on consumer behavior, marketing, advertising and branding. She has observed consumer spending skyrocket in the weeks leading up to Halloween and expects it to be at a record high this year.

Artificial intelligence and Halloween

John Licato, associate professor in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing: A renowned expert in AI, Licato can discuss how the technology is now incorporated in so many elements of our lives - Halloween included.

"People can use AI to generate costume ideas based on personality or favorite character. It can also generate spooky stories or haunted house scripts."

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.

The psychology of fear

Tara Perreault, USF doctoral student in psychology: Perreault can discuss why we like being scared, especially during Halloween. With three years of haunted house fieldwork as a head research associate, she studies how fear bonds people together.

"Fear brings people closer - but not in the way you'd expect. It's usually the person you felt least close to at the start, like a coworker or friend-of-a-friend, who you end up bonding with the most."

The history of Halloween

Jennifer Knight, professor of teaching - history: An expert on the medieval North Atlantic world, Knight can speak to the origins of Halloween.

Food and candy 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.

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 last few years of crime data.

"Our AI/Machine Learning hotspot-forecasting model flags Halloween risk spikes so police can time patrols, refine alerts and plan safer routes."

Costume design

Del Rinehart, assistant instructor for the School of Theatre & Dance: A leading expert on costume design and construction, Rinehart can speak to trends and the best ways to create a quick and easy Halloween costume, without breaking the bank.

"'Do-it-yourself' costumes are becoming a big deal around the Halloween holiday. They can be easy to create and cost close to nothing."