Policy Chats

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 scientist and medical sociologist. His research focuses on an extensive range of health issues and populations, spanning the life course and US and international contexts. The most recent arm of Carpiano’s research program investigates social, behavioral, attitudinal, and policy factors underlying vaccination uptake and coverage (and refusal or delay) in the US, Canada, and Denmark. As part of this work, Carpiano presently serves as a member of the Lancet's Commission on Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance, and Demand in the United States. Learn more about Richard Carpiano via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/rcarpian. Podcast Highlights: “The vaccines are incredibly safe, they're incredibly well monitored, and they're incredibly effective.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of why everyone who can, should receive their COVID-19 vaccine. “No vaccine is 100% protective against a disease. And so we need as many people as possible to be vaccinated in order to provide additional protection to reduce infection.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of why a strong majority of people need to be vaccinated in order to attain herd immunity. “It's going to come down to a lot of external forces on Americans...” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of vaccine passports most likely being required internationally. “These tensions that always exist around individual freedoms versus the rights and the safety of the collective is the core public health.” -       Richard Carpiano on the topic of why any vaccine requirements may prove to be controversial. Guest: Richard Carpiano (UCR Professor of Public Policy and Sociology) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Andrea Rayas (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 Relevant Podcast Episode: COVID-19: State, National, and International Policies (with Rich Carpiano) 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, 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, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom by executive order. From 2010 to 2013, Kounalakis served as President Barack Obama’s Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary. Kounalakis was the first Greek-American woman – and at age 43 one of America’s youngest – to serve as U.S. Ambassador. Her highly acclaimed memoir, “Madam Ambassador, Three Years of Diplomacy, Dinner Parties and Democracy in Budapest” chronicles the onset of Hungary’s democratic backsliding. Learn more about Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis via https://ltg.ca.gov/about/ Podcast Highlights: “Honoring and respecting the fact that this beautiful country welcomed our family in and allows us to be part of our own governance was really the initial reason why I've had a lifetime of involvement.” -       Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis on the topic of what inspired her to enter a career in public service. “What was relayed to me was that more than 90% of U.S. foreign policy, in fact, does not change depending who the president is, even if it is a president from a different party.” -       Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis on the topic of America's relationships with foreign countries drawing from her time as a U.S. Ambassador. “About 1 out of 5 of all California jobs are associated with international trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism. So, when you think of the trade regime, it's determined by federal policy but it disproportionately affects us.” -       Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis on the topic of California's role on the world stage regarding trade and the economy. Guest: Eleni Kounalakis (Lieutenant Governor of California) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Alfredo Barcenas (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/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, 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 population biology, animal behavior, and evolutionary theory. He is interested in how current norms and institutions shape scientific knowledge. While researchers may be driven by intrinsic curiosity, they are constrained by the realities of the scientific ecosystem in which they operate and motivated by the other incentives — monetary and otherwise — with which they are confronted. He is also the author of the book, "Calling Bullshit".  Learn more about Carl Bergstrom via https://www.biology.washington.edu/people/profile/carl-bergstrom Podcast Highlights: “Over the last few years we have seen increasing weaponization of disinformation. Social networks are very vulnerable to the exponential spread of misinformation, but also to injection of disinformation by parties who want to disinform.” -       Carl Bergstrom on the topic of why "fake news" seems to be at an all-time high today. “Something like QAnon can not only contradict, but directly challenge the authority of not only media, but also state government agencies.” -       Carl Bergstrom on the topic of the deterioration of trust in established institutions. “Anti-vax sentiment can ultimately undermine our ability to fight the pandemic...” -       Carl Bergstrom on the topic of disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest: Carl Bergstrom (Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington) 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/motif-remix/imagery https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: Lizbeth Abeln Webinar Marisol Franco Webinar 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, 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 California. Amanda was previously a staff attorney in the LGBT & HIV Project of the National ACLU. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network. Learn more about Amanda Goad via https://www.aclusocal.org/en/Amanda-goad Podcast Highlights: “Even as we're focused on implementation and making things even better in California, the trans rights movement at a national level is still unfortunately having to play a lot of defense.” -       Amanda Goad on the topic of California paving the path for the trans rights movement. Guest: Amanda Goad (Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Daisy Gonzalez (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/imagery https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Minimal_1625 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: The Role of Public Policy in Challenging Times: An Introduction to APPAM Water Seminar Series: Water Partnerships between Cities and Farms in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp California Policy Links: AB-2218 Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund SB-132 Corrections AB-1266 Pupil rights: sex-segregated school programs and activities Transgender Organization/Agenda Links: The Trans Policy Agenda The Trans Agenda for Liberation 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, 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 opinion, legislative politics, Cuban-American and LGBT politics. He is author of Tyranny of the Minority: The Subconstituency Politics Theory of Representation and recipient of the 2001 Jewell-Loewenberg Award for the best paper on Legislative Politics and, along with his coauthors, winner of the 2011 and 2014 Bailey Awards for the best paper on gay and lesbian politics. Learn more about Ben Bishin via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/bishin Podcast Highlights: “What becomes tricky with respect to an evenly split Senate is that there is actually, technically, not a majority within the Senate for purposes of operating. So they have to come to an agreement...” -       Ben Bishin on the topic of how the Senate will function these next two years given that there are 50 sitting Republicans and 50 sitting Democrats. “There are 28 states that have seen legislatures introduce bills that are attempting to restrict the ability of people to vote... all in response to the narrow victory that Democrats had in a number of swing states.” -       Ben Bishin on the topic of the importance of passing election reform bill, H.R.1, following the widespread attempt to disenfranchise voters. “The interesting thing about this upcoming election is that if there was ever an election where the incumbent party is likely to hold their seats, it's probably 2022.” -       Ben Bishin on the topic of the future of both houses of Congress in the 2022 midterm election cycle. Guest: Ben Bishin (UCR Professor of Political Science) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Laura Shah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: C Codaine https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/imagery https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/Phase Commercial Links: https://giving.ucr.edu 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 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); consisting of over 4,200 employees who are responsible for administering the following programs: Children’s and Adult Services, Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh, CalWORKs, Employment Services, Homeless and General Assistance. Sayori comes with a wealth of experience within the Health and Human Services field having spent the last 30 years in a wide variety of programmatic and administrative roles that serves the most vulnerable children and adults in our communities. Sayori holds a master’s degree in Public Administration. Podcast Highlights: “The Department of Social Services employs approximately 4,200 employees and serves over 750,000 customers throughout the year.” -       Sayori Baldwin on the scope and reach of the Department of Public Social Services in Riverside County. “In social services, if money were reallocated, what we've been looking at is preventative and supportive services programs...” -       Sayori Baldwin on the topic of what the future would look like if counties reallocated part of the budget to increase funding for social services. “I really do think that community service and preventative services should always be key in order to alleviate the problems of society.” -       Sayori Baldwin on the topic of how to help citizens and build a better society in the United States. Guest: Sayori Baldwin (Director, Department of Public Social Services, Riverside County) 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: UCR Water Seminar Series - Maura Allaire Registration Page https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp Resources: http://dpss.co.riverside.ca.us https://c4yourself.com/c4yourself/index.jsp Apply for Social Services Programs: (877) 410-8827 Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: (800) 442-4918 Elder/Dependent Abuse Hotline: (800) 491-7123 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 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 the Director of the Laboratory for Technology, Communication and Democracy (TeCD Lab), at the University of California, Riverside. His current work focuses on deliberative democracy and the design of technology that leads citizens to engage constructively in public discourse. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, The Democracy Fund, and the MacArthur Foundation. Learn more about Kevin Esterling via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/kevine Podcast Highlights: “We have a problem of scale in our democracy, which is that our country is of such a size that it's hard for individuals to find they have a voice in government.” -       Kevin Esterling on the topic of why there is a lack of communication between constituents and their representatives. “What we did for our project is that instead of limiting ourselves, let's think about is there a way to redesign the technology that would maybe enable a more constructive engagement between constituents and members of Congress? So that constituents don't feel like they're just being messaged to, but they were being listened to.” -       Kevin Esterling on the topic of utilizing technology to bridge the gap between constituents and members of Congress. “There really is, in principle, a lot of agreement within the Democratic Party. This kind of pace of change, I think, is what's frustrating Democrats...” -       Kevin Esterling on the topic of the rift between moderates and progressives within the Democratic Party. Guest: Kevin Esterling (Professor of Political Science and Public Policy) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Daisy Gonzalez (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: 2020 Election: Analysis Part 1 (with Francisco Pedraza) Water Seminar Series: Climate Resiliency and Adaptation Planning 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, 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 after decades of working as a nurse in many different areas. Roseanne is a Forensic Nurse and Crime Scene Investigator certified through the UCR Extension Center. Prior to being admitted to UCR’s Cultural Anthropology graduate program, she worked in the Emergency Room Trauma Center, as a Nurse Administrator for a multi-specialty medical group, and as a Nurse Case Manager for an HMO management company. Roseanne is an active member in many organizations at UCR including having founded the Native American Honor Society and is the coordinator of the Indigenize UCR project. She is involved in the Native American Student Association (NASA), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and the Graduate American Indian Alliance (GAIA). Podcast Highlights: “A lot of [the Relocation Act of 1956] was sold as this is the American Dream, for lack of a better phrase, and it turned out not to be. [Native Americans] were just used as field workers and were living in horrible conditions.” -       Roseanne Rosenthal on the topic of discriminatory policies and practices against indigenous communities in the United States. “A lot of times people think of Natives as in history. They don't think of us as here.” -       Roseanne Rosenthal on the topic of Native Americans feeling invisible and forgotten compared to other groups in the country. “I think the first step, a major step, is to be transparent and not teach something that's romanticized.” -       Roseanne Rosenthal on the topic of what the Biden-Harris administration can do to aid the Native American community. Guest: Roseanne Rosenthal (UCR Anthropology Ph.D student) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Vivek Kakar (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://bit.ly/spp-giving2020 http://bit.ly/spp-gt https://ucr.zoom.us/webinar/register/7616049423462/WN_eehUphe6TB-RnbZqZijSpw 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, 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 research centers on political attitude formation and political behavior, with a special emphasis on the attitudes and behaviors of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Learn more about Francisco Pedraza via https://profiles.ucr.edu/app/home/profile/fpedraza. Podcast Highlights: “It is hard to see a victory for those electoral college votes in [Arizona and Florida] happening without the Latino vote.” -       Francisco Pedraza on the topic of voting blocks that influenced the results of this election. “Political science literature on electoral and campaign outcomes, rule number one, is that incumbency is a huge advantage.” -       Francisco Pedraza on the topic of why the presidency turned blue, but Congress and state elections are leaning red. “We know that the norms and the expectations of making a concession speech and calling on all of your supporters to accept the loss is crucial.” -       Francisco Pedraza on the topic of a smooth transition of power leading up to January 20th 2021. Guest: Francisco Pedraza (Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Arleth Flores Aparicio (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: Derick Brinkerhoff Seminar COVID-19 Panel mpp.ucr.edu Related Podcast Episodes and Webinars: 2020 Election: Voting By Mail (with Bob Page) 2020 Election: Who is Voting and Why? Election Panel 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 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 focuses on how the political environment shapes individual attitudes and behavior across many domains such as candidate evaluations during elections, immigration policy attitudes, foreign policy attitudes, and support for democratic values and institutions. Learn more about Jennifer Merolla via https://politicalscience.ucr.edu/people/faculty/jennifer-merolla/ About Mai Nguyen Do: My name is Mai Nguyen Do. I work as a researcher for AAPI Data and am a PhD student in the political science department. I'm particularly interested in migration, Southeast Asian refugees in the United States, and Asian American politics more generally. Learn more about Mai Nguyen Do via https://socialinnovation.ucr.edu/mai-nguyen-do About Sarah Hayes: Sarah Hayes is a second year graduate student in the political science department. Her focus is American Politics with a focus in Black and Electoral politics. Sarah spends her time as a research associate for Center of Social Innovation working on projects to advance racial equity in the IE. Podcast Highlights: “...and so for women who really care about these issues, it's really important to become involved, to vote, to show up, to engage in your communities to try to address some of those areas where women still have a great deal of progress to make.” -       Jennifer Merolla on the topic of the female vote. “Young voters and young people are energized right now, the trouble is translating that energy into casting their ballot.” -       Mai Nguyen Do on the topic of Gen Z and Millennials voting. “What we have seen is a lot of ramped up attention surrounding Black politics, but also Black voting as well.” -       Sarah Hayes on the topic of recent political events emphasizing Black voices and needs. Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Andrea Rayas (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://ucr.zoom.us/webinar/register/8916037471695/WN_Pna4aJkzTkqYxtqA7P3LTg http://mpp.ucr.edu 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.