UCR School of Public Policy

How is artificial intelligence shaping the future of democratic communication? 🏛️ Professor Kevin Esterling recently served as a guest on “The Reference Desk” podcast to discuss his research on large language models, civic discourse, and the role that emerging technologies and AI play in how people communicate in online democratic spaces. 💻 Listen now! ➡️ open.spotify.com/episode/61sllj… #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #PoliticalScience #Spotify #AI #Politics

For our May alumni spotlight, we’d like to introduce Imad Jobah, Region Manager of Practice Innovation at Dignity Health Medical Foundation! 🏥 During his time at the School of Public Policy, Imad learned the importance of building solutions that create greater access and opportunity for underserved communities. His work today allows him to lead initiatives that will focus on improving healthcare access, care coordination, and patient experience. We’re proud of Imad and his significant contributions to improve the healthcare system! 🩺 #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #10YearAnniversary #Celebrating10Years

Tony Grubesic, a professor of public policy at UCR, talks about the little-known federal Essential Air Service. More in @NPR ⬇️ @ucrspp npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-…

You're invited to our End-of-Year Celebration, where we will be honoring our 10-year anniversary, scholarship recipients, and the graduating class of 2026! 🌍 The celebration will include a keynote address from Andrew Light, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs, as well as remarks from student speakers Katie Chau and Niloofar Shoja Razavi. 📅 June 14th, 2026 🕑 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 📍 Culver Center of the Arts ➡️ Register: myadv.ucr.edu/forms/spp-end-…

On April 22nd, students, faculty, and community members joined us for an insightful talk by Dr. Jens Ludwig as part of the School of Public Policy’s 10-year anniversary celebration and Provost’s Lecture Series As the behavioral economist and Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, Dr. Ludwig shared evidence-based solutions for gun violence from his new book, Unforgiving Places. He challenged traditional narratives, showing how research and fieldwork can help solve one of America’s most complex issues. 📊 Missed the lecture? Watch the recording here ➡️youtube.com/watch?v=FhEG1J… #UCR #PublicPolicy #UCRSPP #ProvostLecture #PolicyTalks #InlandEmpireEvents #SPP #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy

Don't miss out, our Presley Center seminar is happening TOMORROW❗ Join us to hear from Dr. Danielle Rudes, Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University, as she presents her research on the mental health and safety impacts experienced by those living and working in restricted housing units across the United States. 🏠 Register now! ➡️surviving-solitary.eventbrite.com

Scenes from our SPP Career Fair at the Alumni & Visitors Center! 👔📲 Last Tuesday on April 28th, UCR students interested in public service had the opportunity to explore career opportunities within the public sector and community-serving work. Students in attendance got to learn more about what government agencies actually do, the services they provide, and the pathways needed to embark on these careers! A special thanks to California Secretary of Government Operations Nick Maduros for joining us for a recording of Policy Chats, and to California Deputy Secretary Sally Ly for giving a talk on how to apply for state jobs. "The career fair was a really engaging opportunity to network with people that work in areas of policy that I'm interested in. I was able to meet a lot of people and have great conversations!" - Carson Schmahl, BA/MPP ‘26 #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #CareerFair #Policy #Government

Introducing another member of our outstanding faculty… Dr. Ran Wei, Associate Professor of Public Policy! 📊 Her work leverages data science to examine the intersections of climate change, pediatric health, and emergency medical accessibility. 🏥 Read the full feature to learn more about how Dr. Wei is helping healthcare systems adapt and keep emergency care accessible for all children: spp10years.ucr.edu/faculty-featur… #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #10YearAnniversary #Celebrating10Years

Interested in how diplomacy shapes global security and reduces nuclear risk? In our latest episode of Policy Chats, Thomas Countryman, former Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, joins host Dori Pham to discuss arms control, nuclear policy, and the realities of diplomacy in practice. From the Iran nuclear deal to the challenges of negotiation and global cooperation, he explores how policymakers balance ideal goals with real-world constraints in today’s international system. 🎧 Check out the episode on Spotify! #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #PolicyChats #Spotify #Podcast #PublicPolicy #InternationalRelations #Diplomacy #GlobalSecurity #ArmsControl

For our April alumni spotlight, we’d like to introduce Marcia Castro ‘22, Community Forestry Program Manager at TreePeople!🌲 Marcia uses the courses she took at the School of Public Policy to bridge the gap between community needs and broader environmental systems. Her work focuses on making sure that the voices of communities, especially those most impacted by urban heat and pollution, are reflected in how TreePeople’s projects are developed and implemented.🏡 We’re proud of Marcia and her contributions to help impacted communities thrive! #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #10YearAnniversary #Celebrating10Years

Please note that the time and location have changed for our upcoming Presley Center seminar! The event will now be taking place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on May 6th in INTN 4023. Dr. Danielle Rudes, professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University, will be presenting her research on the mental health and safety impacts of those living and working in restricted housing units in the United States. 🏠 📅 Wednesday, May 6th 🕑 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 📍 INTN 4023 Register here! ➡️ surviving-solitary.eventbrite.com #ucr #ucrspp #schoolofpublicpolicy #publicpolicy #presleycenterseminar #housing #restricted #mentalhealth #safety

❗Happening TOMORROW at 4 p.m. in the UCR School of Medicine❗ Don't miss hearing Dr. Ludwig discuss his research and fieldwork completed in Chicago, regarding gun violence in America and the strategies that can be taken to resolve it. RSVP here: lnkd.in/gYgbGPnN

Interested in how diplomacy shapes global conflict and cooperation? In our latest episode of Policy Chats, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis joins host Dori Pham to discuss his decades-long career in U.S. foreign policy, including his role in the historic normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba. From building trust in high-stakes negotiations to navigating multilateral diplomacy at the United Nations, he shares insights on what it takes to manage complex international relationships and why diplomacy remains critical in today’s global landscape. 🎧 Check out the episode on Spotify! #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #PolicyChats #Spotify #Podcast #PublicPolicy #Diplomacy #ForeignPolicy #InternationalRelations #UnitedNations

Less than one week away! 🗓️ Don’t miss out on our upcoming Provost’s Lecture with guest speaker Dr. Jens Ludwig, who will be discussing his research on gun violence in America. Register here➡️ myadv.ucr.edu/forms/ucr-jens… Read the Inside UCR article for more info: insideucr.ucr.edu/stories/2026/0…

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Public Policy Ran Wei on receiving a grant for her project: Heat Waves, Pediatric Readiness, and Child Outcomes: Evaluating Climate Risk, Mitigation, and Resilience in Emergency Care! 👏 With the help of existing research infrastructure, Professor Wei and her team will: first; identify the most geographically vulnerable areas for children due to heat waves; second, the study will look at three groups of children across the country who needed emergency care to understand whether heatwaves are linked to higher death rates and more hospital visits; and lastly, it will follow two groups of children overtime to determine whether well-prepared emergency departments can reduce deaths during heatwaves and maintain effective care. 🏥 We wish her luck with the continuation of her research! #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #Project #Research #HeatWaves #Healthcare

Highlander Launch Challenge starts now until 2 PM! The page that gets the most unique donors will receive an additional $2000! Pitch in to help support the Science to Policy program. 🙌 Donate here! givecampus.com/schools/Univer…

The Science to Policy program at UCR is a professional training and development program for PhD students who are interested in bridging the gap between science and policy. ⚙️🔬🏛️ This year, S2P is participating in the Highlander Launch Challenge in the first two hours of Give Day, April 7th, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The project page that receives the most unique donors will receive an extra $2,000! 🗓️ Save the date to give a gift in support of the Science to Policy program! givecampus.com/schools/Univer…

The Public Policy Scholarship Fund supports research and initiatives that address real-world challenges and serve the public good. Through Give Day, you can help expand opportunities for students and faculty to create meaningful, community-focused impact. By committing to $10 a month through 10 for 10, you invest in work that drives positive change beyond the classroom. ➡️ Make an impact today: givecampus.com/schools/Univer… #GiveDay #IJoined10For10 #10YearAnniversary #SupportStudents #Scholarships #FutureLeaders #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSPP