Celebrating our impact in 2022

Meet our new faculty director and explore our actionable research for a sustainable future in our new Impact Report

It has been a year of change. The climate crisis accelerated with devastating local impacts – unprecedented drought, record heat and catastrophic wildfire followed by flooding, to name a few.

It’s also been a year of unprecedented progress, including the largest federal investments in climate action, water infrastructure and clean energy.

The Luskin Center for Innovation team is proud of our contributions to critical environmental policies – through actionable research, we’re informing solutions.

Partners like you make our work possible. In collaboration with impacted communities, policymakers and other civic collaborators, we’re working toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

We are excited for our next era of impact with you. Our 2022 Impact Report highlights our new faculty director, summarizes the center’s recent progress to be leveraged forward, and invites you to join us on that journey.

Environmental politics scholar joins leadership team as faculty director

Megan Mullin — an award-winning scholar of American political institutions and behavior who focuses on environmental politics — now holds two appointed to two endowed positions within the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Join us in welcoming her to our team!

Our new Human Right to Water Solutions Lab expands research on drinking water nationally

Since 2012, Californians have had a legal right to clean water (per AB 685). Yet safe, affordable water is not always easily accessible throughout the state. Researchers in our new lab, led by the center’s co-director Gregory Pierce, are working to find solutions that make water access more just.

Heat waves are here to stay. Here’s how we can prepare.

With more frequent and intense heat waves on the horizon, states and cities need to prepare for the challenge. Research led by our associate director V. Kelly Turner helps inform solutions — like rethinking how we build our cities with cool roof and pavement technologies, and providing more shade.

Supporting big, hyperlocal investments to fight climate change

Our research is tracking hundreds of millions of dollars invested in local climate action through the Transformative Climate Communities program — funds that empower historically underserved communities to realize their visions for community health, well-being and prosperity.

Advancing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative

Our research analyzes state-level policies and programs seeking to address environmental justice through investments in clean energy and climate change action, and identifies lessons learned that could help inform the implementation of Biden’s plan.

Luskin Center for Innovation Fiscal Year 2021-2022
By the Numbers

19

new reports and policy briefs

$1.5 million

in contracts, grants and gifts

35

faculty and staff researchers

45

students directly supported

100+

partners and civic collaborators

120

media mentions

20

community events

15

policies and programs influenced through our research