Policy Chats

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 facilitating collaborative problem-solving processes, promoting civic engagement with policy-making and oversight processes, and establishing systems to address wicked problems. She is the co-founder and President of Legis, a non-profit founded to realize the potential of 21st century technology to overcome barriers to inclusive, responsive, evidence-based policy and law development. Learn more about Lorna Seitz via https://spp.ucr.edu/senior-policy-fellow-spotlight-lorna-seitz Podcast Highlights: “The video footage that we've been able to see has been very impactful.. we have the ability to see more primary evidence now.” -       Lorna Seitz on the impact of modern technology and social media. “So it really will shift the paradigm of a large number of people when they both have access to relevant information and also have the ability to discuss it with people.” -       Lorna Seitz on the impact that accurate information and healthy discourse has on people's views. “You might have the policy people come up with this policy, and then if you look at the law, it says something totally different; there's a radical disconnect.” -       Lorna Seitz on the topic of evidence and logic-based policy making. Guest: Lorna Seitz (President and co-founder of Legis) Interviewers: Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Johanna Arias (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase  Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound https://www.fretbound.com/ Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40 Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 residential location–interacts with race, immigration status, and gender in shaping labor market experiences and social-economic wellbeing. Her work has been funded by the Kauffman Foundation, National Science Foundation, HUD, and other agencies. Her recent work includes research on immigrant, ethnic and female entrepreneurship, and transnational migration of the highly skilled, especially in the higher education sector. Learn more about Qingfang Wang via: https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/qingfang Podcast Highlights: “A large number of Latina-Owned Businesses...are in the low wage, low skill, and easy to enter industries which haven't adopted technology that much before COVID.” -       Qingfang Wang on the role the technological divide plays in driving the inequalities that hinder the growth of Latina-Owned Businesses.  “Many of these short-term impacts are imbued upon the long-term issues...under COVID-19, it's just revealed.” -       Qingfang Wang on the idea that the core issues minority-owned businesses face were embedded long before COVID-19.  “It is fundamental for [the government] to keep people informed by providing accurate, timely, and consistent information and evidence...under COVID-19 we see [people] live with uncertainty...” -       Qingfang Wang on the role the government plays in supporting Latina-Owned Businesses.  Guest: Qingfang Wang (Professor of Public Policy) Interviewer: Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound https://www.fretbound.com/ Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40 Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 California Protecting Immigrant Families (CAPIF) Coalition to protect access to safety net programs for immigrants in California. Learn more about Benyamin Chao via https://caimmigrant.org/about/our-staff/benyamin-chao/ Podcast Highlights: “...Immigrants have been excluded from public healthcare systems.” -       Benyamin Chao on the topic of unique challenges immigrants face. “My mom would tell me...don't apply for calfresh, don't share your information because it may give you away or be used against you. ” -       Benyamin Chao on his personal and family experience under old immigration policies. “If hundreds of thousands or millions of people in California get access to a pathway to citizenship, that also would allow them to qualify for federal safety net programs as well... And I think the fundamental question is who belongs in California? And for me, I believe, that we are slowly helping people see that your immigration status does not affect whether or not you belong.” -       Benyamin Chao on his hopes for the future of immigration policy and the discussion surrounding it. Guest: Benyamin Chao (Health & Public Benefits Campaign Coordinator) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound https://www.fretbound.com/ Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40 This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 Riverside since 2003. Deolalikar is a development economist who has published four books and 75 articles on the economics of child nutrition, health, education, poverty, and social protection in developing countries. In addition to his research, Deolalikar has extensive public policy experience.  Learn more about Anil Deolalikar via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/anild About Bruce Link: Dr. Bruce Link earned his BA from Earlham College and MS and PhD degrees from Columbia University. His interests are centered on topics in psychiatric and social epidemiology. He has written on the connection between socioeconomic status and health, homelessness, violence, stigma, and discrimination.  Learn more about Bruce Link via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/brucel Podcast Highlights: “And so now, you have a situation where I believe a third to a half of all the currently available vaccines and produced vaccines in the world are under the control of the rich countries who constitute less than 12 or 13 percent of the world's population.” -  Anil Deolalikar on the topic of the disparity between countries and their access to vaccines. “This is something I study all of the time; how do we create inequalities in health...It keeps happening. ” -  Bruce Link on the topic of how inequities in health are created. “I think just relaxing the intellectual property rights for a limited period probably would not have done very much unless the pharmaceutical companies also contributed their manufacturing know-how and skills to developing countries.” -  Anil Deolalikar on the topic of intellectual property rights of vaccines Guests:  Anil Deolalikar (Dean of the UCR School of Public Policy) Bruce Link (Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine  https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Upbeat Emotive by Fretbound  https://www.fretbound.com/ Video Link: https://youtu.be/F_8EMeRnd40 This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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, as was her mother, who was frequently assigned to work with children who had more trouble learning. Blakemore counts among her strengths her ability to come up with creative solutions that work for both sides in a dispute. She is also particularly proud of helping to change attitudes about people with disabilities and said she remains excited about her work despite decades of doing it. Learn more about Catherine Blakemore via https://www.calbarjournal.com/September2016/TopHeadlines/TH1.aspx Podcast Highlights: “So really if you're a person with a disability, you can experience almost in any part of your life some challenge in getting services that you need.” -       Catherine Blakemore on the topic of the wide scope of challenges disabled persons face. “A lot of work to be done in the area of better providing services, recognizing the value and kind of inherent dignity of people with mental health disabilities, addressing the stigma that people face...” -       Catherine Blakemore on the topic of mental health disabilities and the unique issues they face. “Because the worst consequences of any pandemic is suddenly you have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that are losing their housing, which just destabilizes so many things in their life...” -       Catherine Blakemore on the topic of how California handled COVID-19 in relation to the disabled population. Guest: Catherine Blakemore (Former Executive Director of Disability Rights California) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 raised by a single low-income mother who instilled the value of education to transcend their challenging economic circumstances. These experiences shaped him to prioritize the advancement of equity and access to opportunities for diverse students. Learn more about Angelo Farooq via http://riversideunified.org/cms/One.aspx?pageId=13815216&portalId=580805 Podcast Highlights: “What we've been seeing just from our data and anecdotally as well is that the social emotional aspect, the mental health, has been a challenge. For some students much more so than others...” -       Angelo Farooq on the topic of why returning to in-person learning is so important. “Our reopening plan has always been based on age appropriateness and readiness.” -       Angelo Farooq on the topic of adjusting any reopening plans to varying student needs. “The public consciousness overall, there's more of an awareness, an appreciation of the value that school districts and public education plays in our communities that transcends just educating our students.” -       Angelo Farooq on the topic of what society has learned from distanced learning this past year. Guest: Angelo Farooq (Riverside Unified School Board Member) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Kevin Karami (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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. Early in her tenure at OGE, Ms. Finlayson was honored to be selected as a Brookings LEGIS Fellow, through which she served with the Oversight of Government Management Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. She is also a member of the UCR School of Public Policy Advisory Board.  Learn more about Shelley Finlayson via https://oge.gov/Web/OGE.nsf/Resources/Meet+OGE’s+Chief+of+Staff+&+Program+Counsel,+Shelley+K.+Finlayson Podcast Highlights: “We lead the program to ensure that public employees carry out the government responsibilities entrusted to them with impartiality.” -       Shelley Finlayson on the topic of why the Office of Government Ethics was created. “All of us are harmed when important government missions are derailed by ethics issues or violations and the public confidence is lost...” -       Shelley Finlayson on the topic of the importance of transparency and public trust. “The idea that someone who's an expert in a particular area is going to come and bring their expertise to the government, that's a good thing. What we don't want them to bring with them is financial ties.” -       Shelley Finlayson on the topic of financial conflicts of interest. Guest: Shelley Finlayson (U.S. Office of Government Ethics Chief of Staff & Program Counsel) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Johanna Arias (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 Departments of Political Science and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. She received her PhD in 2001 from the Department of Political Science at Yale University. Wong is also a Senior Researcher at AAPI Data. Learn more about Janelle Wong via https://amst.umd.edu/faculty/janelle-wong/ Podcast Highlights: “The research I do at AAPI data shows that many Asian Americans as well as people from other racial groups don't feel confident in or are reluctant to report a hate crime to law enforcement.” -        Janelle Wong on the topic of why hate crime data is not necessarily representative. “Ethnic studies programs and trying to institute more coursework and substantive content on not only Asian American history and engagement, but also in the kinds of discrimination Asian American communities have faced can be implemented at the local level...” -       Janelle Wong on the topic of what can be done at the local level to support the AAPI community. “Hate crime legislation alone is not going to solve our problems.” -       Janelle Wong on the topic of focusing on more than hate crime when discussing ways to help the AAPI community. Guest: Janelle Wong (Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Jenny Chen (UCR MPP Candidate, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 Public Affairs at the George Washington University. Former George Gerbner Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Andrew Daniller via https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/andrew-daniller/ Link to Pew Research Center report on views on gun policy: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/04/20/amid-a-series-of-mass-shootings-in-the-u-s-gun-policy-remains-deeply-divisive/ Podcast Highlights: “Only about 2 in 10 Republicans told us that gun violence was a very big problem compared to around three-quarters of Democrats...” -       Andrew Daniller on the topic of if gun violence is a partisan issue. “This urban, suburban, rural divide does matter in how people view gun policy and gun violence.” -       Andrew Daniller on the topic of if there are any trends regarding gun policy public opinion. “Republicans have become less supportive of assault-style weapons bans since 2017...” -       Andrew Daniller on the topic of if gun policy has become more polarized over time. Guest: Andrew Daniller (Pew Research Center Research Associate) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Genevieve Chacon (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.

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 Riverside. She is also Dean Emeritus of the Bourns College of Engineering. Until July 2018 she was the Executive Director of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). CCST is a not-for-profit corporation comprised of 200 plus science and technology leaders of the highest distinction. Learn more about Susan Hackwood via https://sciencetopolicy.ucr.edu/professional-leadership Podcast Highlights: “There is an enormous need to bridge the science world with the policy world.” -       Susan Hackwood on the topic of why Science to Policy was founded at UC Riverside. "We were all amazed at the appetite, and the interest, and the willingness of graduate students to tiptoe into the policy world." -       Susan Hackwood on the topic of the need for the Science to Policy program. "A huge super goal that we have is to get more and more women to run for office." -       Susan Hackwood on the topic of public policy's future. Guest: Susan Hackwood (Director of the Center of Science to Policy at the UCR) Interviewer: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp https://spp.ucr.edu/ba-mpp This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/ Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Learn more about the series and other episodes via https://spp.ucr.edu/podcast.