Policy Chats

In this episode, Former District Attorney of San Bernardino County Michael Ramos talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Crime Prevention . About Michael Ramos : Michael A. Ramos was elected as San Bernardino County’s District Attorney in 2003 and served in the position until 2019. He currently serves as one of the External Relations Directors for the Robert Presle...

In this episode, Former Riverside Chief of Police Sergio Diaz talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the challenges of policing . About Sergio Diaz : Sergio G. Diaz was the chief of police for the city of Riverside, California between July 1, 2010, and September 19, 2019. Prior to joining the Riverside Police Department, Sergio was a police officer in the city of L...

In this episode, California State Controller Betty Yee talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about her career in public office . About Betty Yee : State Controller Betty T. Yee was elected in November 2014, following two terms of service on the California Board of Equalization.  As Controller, she continues to serve the Board as its fifth voting member.  Reelected for a...

In this episode, Professor of Economics Dr. Bree Lang talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Low-Income Housing and the Housing Crisis . About Bree Lang : Bree Lang is an economics professor at the University of California, Riverside. Her research areas include urban economics, taxation, subsidized housing, and public finance. Learn more about Bree Lang via https:/...

In this episode, Senior Advisor of the California Council on Science & Technology Dr. Jun Bando talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the role science plays in public policy . About Jun Bando : K. Jun Bando is the Senior Advisor to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). She focuses on guiding strategic planning and organizational transformati...

In this episode, President and co-founder of Legis Lorna Seitz talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about electronic public discourse. About Lorna Seitz: Lorna Seitz is an expert in developing transformative laws, policies and programs. Seitz has 20+ years of experience in policy development, legislative analysis and institutional reform. She specializes in facilitatin...

In this episode, Professor of Public Policy Qingfang Wang talks with a student from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the unique challenges Latina-Owned businesses face . About Qingfang Wang : Qingfang Wang's research area lies broadly in immigration, labor market, and development. With a Ph. D. in geography, Wang is particularly interested in how place–as both worksite and reside...

In this episode, the Health & Public Benefits Campaign Coordinator at the California Immigrant Policy Center. Benyamin Chao talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Immigration Policy. About Benyamin Chao : Benyamin Chao is the Health & Public Benefits Campaign Coordinator at the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC). His duties include working with the C...

In this episode, the Dean of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy Anil Deolalikar, and Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology Bruce Link talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about vaccine inequity . About Anil Deolalikar: Anil Deolalikar has been founding dean of the School of Public Policy since February 2013 and a professor of economics at UC River...

In this episode, Former Executive Director of Disability Rights California Catherine Blakemore  talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about challenges the disabled population faces. About Catherine Blakemore : Growing up in Southern California, Blakemore recalls being instilled with a desire to help others. Blakemore’s grandmothers and a great-grandmother were teachers,...

In this episode, Riverside School Board Member Angelo Farooq talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about returning to the classroom in the fall . About Angelo Farooq : Dr. I. Angelo Farooq is proudly born and raised in Inland Southern California. He grew up attending local public schools in Riverside County within Jurupa Valley. Angelo and his two younger sisters were r...

In this episode, U.S. Office of Government Ethics Chief of Staff & Program Counsel Shelley Finlayson talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about ethics and transparency within the executive branch of the federal government . About Shelley Finlayson : Ms. Finlayson joined OGE in 2006, initially serving in roles related to OGE’s legislative affairs and budget programs...

In this episode, Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park Janelle Wong talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about anti-Asian violence and discrimination in America . About Janelle Wong : Janelle Wong is Professor of American Studies and a core faculty member in the Asian American Studies Program. From 2001-2012, Wong was in the Departme...

In this episode, Research Associate at Pew Research Center Andrew Daniller talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about public opinion regarding gun violence in America . About Andrew Daniller : His research is primarily focused on the role of news media in shaping public opinion. Before arriving at the Annenberg School, he received a Master's degree in Media and Pub...

In this episode, Director of the Center of Science to Policy at the University of California, Riverside Susan Hackwood talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about bridging the gap between science and public policy . About Susan Hackwood : Susan Hackwood is Professor of the Graduate Division and Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professor at the University of California Riversi...

In this episode, UCR Professor of Public Policy and Sociology Richard Carpiano talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about vaccine hesitancy, herd immunity, and the possibility of vaccine passports . About Richard Carpiano : Richard M. Carpiano is Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He is a public and population health sc...

In this episode, Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about her accomplished career in public service . About Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis : Eleni Kounalakis is the first woman elected Lt. Governor of California. A native Californian, Kounalakis is California’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade, appo...

In this episode, theoretical and evolutionary biologist and professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, Carl Bergstrom talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the era of "fake news" and how to combat disinformation. About Carl Bergstrom : Bergstrom uses mathematical models and computer simulations to study a wide range of problems in...

In this episode, Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California Amanda Goad talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about transgender rights in California and the country . About Amanda Goad : Amanda is the Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern...

In this episode, UCR Professor of political science Ben Bishin talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about what to expect from a partisan Congress as we enter President Biden's first term in office. About Ben Bishin : Benjamin G. Bishin is Professor of political science. His interests include questions of democracy, representation, identity and ethnicity, public opi...

In this episode, Director of Public Social Services in Riverside County, Sayori Baldwin, talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the many programs considered social services and their role in society both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic . About Sayori Baldwin : Sayori Baldwin is the Director of the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)...

In this episode, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Kevin Esterling talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about utilizing technology to bridge the gap between constituents and representatives as well as rifts in the Democratic Party following this election . About Kevin Esterling : Kevin Esterling is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, and th...

In this episode, Chair of the UCR Graduate Student Researchers In Areas of Native American Studies Society, Roseanne Rosenthal talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about Native American history, issues and policy implications . About Roseanne Rosenthal : Roseanne Rosenthal is Mescalero Apache and Tewa. She is a non-traditional student who decided to come back to school...

In this episode, UCR Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science Francisco Pedraza talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the 2020 election results . About Francisco Pedraza : Dr. Pedraza is a political scientist at the University of California, Riverside with appointments in the School of Public Policy and the Department of Political Science. His re...

In this episode, Professor of Political Science Jennifer Merolla and political science graduate students Mai Nguyen Do and Sarah Hayes talk with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about why the female, Black, and youth vote are so important . About : Jennifer Merolla Jennifer L. Merolla is Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Riverside. Her research f...