UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

LABC’S 16th Annual Sustainability Summit
2022-09-08 07:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | University of Southern California, Town & Gown, 665 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90089
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The Los Angeles Business Council’s 16th Annual Sustainability Summit is hosted by our partners at the Los Angeles Business Council, in collaboration with USC President Dr. Carol Folt, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Featured and invited speakers include:

Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency
Dan Hedigan, CEO, FivePoint Holdings, LLC
Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board
Heather Zichal, CEO, American Clean Power Association

The Sustainability Summit will tackle pressing issues, including:

Regional momentum toward a clean energy future
Revitalizing our buildings with carbon-free power
Outlook and opportunities on water resources and drought
Achieving a new all-electric transportation sector
Building a successful western transmission grid

Climate Research Symposium: Understanding Risks to Los Angeles' Changing Climate
2022-10-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
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Join researchers from UCLA and USC as they share the outcomes of their investigations into our changing climate in Los Angeles.
Speakers:

Dr. Alex Hall: LA Aqueduct System Climate Change Study Update & Reducing Uncertainties in Los Angeles Aqueduct Sensitivity to Climate Risks
Dr. Greg Pierce: Valuing the Resiliency Benefits of the Hyperion Reuse and Groundwater Development Program
Dr. Yousef Bozorgnia: Seismic Risk Assessment of Distributed Water Infrastructure Crossing Earthquake Faults in Southern California
Dr. Kelly Sanders, Investigating the Impacts of Anthropogenic Heat on the Climate of Los Angeles

Hosted by:
Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC) and UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge.
Sponsored by:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Water Science and Technology Board Fall 2022 Meeting
2022-11-01 09:00 - 14:00 | In-Person and Virtual Options, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
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One out of every 10 Americans are exposed to drinking water quality violations in the U.S. Further, many communities (especially in rural and poor areas) do not have access to enough water of adequate quality to meet their needs. Even where people have access to safe water, there is the question of affordability. The WSTB is convening a meeting to consider these 3 aspects of adequate drinking water provision: safety, access, and affordability. Invited speakers will consider what technical and institutional solutions can be deployed over the long term to ensure that every American has adequate drinking water.

This event is public and will be available for remote attendance via webcast.

Visit the event page for additional details and the meeting agenda.

The Story of Plastic: Film Screening & Expert Panel
2022-11-02 17:00 - 19:00 | UCLA Ackerman 308 Westwood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Please join ASUCLA and California State Senator Ben Allen for a special screening of the award-winning documentary The Story of Plastic followed by an expert panel discussion on the future of plastic pollution in California and beyond.

Panelists:

Senator Ben Allen, author of SB 54, the strongest anti-plastic pollution policy ever passed in the United States
Clara Castronovo, Board Chair for CALPIRG Students
Daniel Coffee, Project Manager at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Bineh Ndefru (moderator), Co-President for UCLA’s Science Policy Group
Sam Pearse, Campaign Manager for The Story of Stuff Project

Realizing Park Equity: Improving How Federal Funds Reach Communities That Can Most Benefit
2022-11-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
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To expand access to parks nationwide, the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program funds green spaces in low-income, urban communities. While the program has supported important projects throughout the country, program benefits could be more fully realized. For instance, millions of grant dollars have been left on the table in recent years. Since funding for ORLP is expected to increase in the coming years, the program can be an increasingly important resource for underserved communities.
This webinar will explore successes of the ORLP Program and illustrate opportunities to strengthen its impact. The discussion will feature a panel of park advocates and agency representatives, and share findings from our recent research.
Hosted by The Wilderness Society and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.
Panelists include:

Heather Ramsay Ahndan, Program Manager, King County Natural Resources and Parks, Land Conservation Initiative
Kitty Craig, Urban to Wild Director, The Wilderness Society (Moderator)
Ariana Hernandez, Associate Project Manager, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Sedrick Mitchell, Deputy Director of External Affairs, California State Parks
Julie Waterman, Advocacy Director, City Parks Alliance

Lunch on Luskin: UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
2022-11-17 12:30 - 14:00 | UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, 3rd Floor Terrace 337 Charles E Young Dr. East Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Calling all students interested in environmental sustainability! Join us for a free, cross-campus networking reception hosted by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Learn about environmental organizations, student funding opportunities, and jobs and internships while getting to know your peers across campus.
RSVP IS REQUIRED. Lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
UCLA Collaborators:

Center for Healthy Climate Solutions
Center for Impact @ Anderson
Easton Technology Management Center
Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
Graduate Student Water Resources Group
Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainable LA Grand Challenge

SGC Catalyst Conference
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-02 | California Natural Resources Headquarters, 715 P Street, Sacramento, California, 95814
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How do we leverage unprecedented public investment to build infrastructure that responds to both the climate crisis and the needs of underserved communities?
At the SGC Catalyst Conference, hosted in partnership with the Milken Institute, participants will work together to understand the opportunities and barriers to building a pipeline of community-led climate projects. Over a two-day period, community leaders, funders, government policymakers, and academics will explore models that are helping to prepare underserved communities for investment and oversee project implementation, as well as innovative public-private partnerships that deepen investment and accelerate decarbonization. The conference environment will create space for learning, partnerships, and the co-creation of new standards and bold ideas to catalyze action during this transformational moment in history.

Two Years of Justice40: How the initiative is delivering solutions to the climate crisis
2023-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
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Join World Resources Institute on February 28, for a conversation with Matthew Tejada, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Environmental Justice at the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, and Carla Walker, Director, Environmental Justice and Equity at WRI United States. We’ll explore how the Justice40 Initiative is transforming the climate landscape and the environmental justice movement, discuss how benefits are reaching disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities, and explore what more can be done to fully realize an equitable clean energy economy for all. The conversation will be followed by a panel of experts working to ensure environmental justice at state and local levels.
Speakers (in alphabetical order)

Colleen Callahan, Co-Executive Director, Luskin Center for Innovation at UCLA
Naadiya Hutchinson, Government Affairs Manager, WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Julia Jeanty, Senior Policy Manager, Data for Progress
Dan Lashof, Director, United States, World Resources Institute
Matthew Tejada, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Environmental Justice, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights
Carla Walker, Director of Environmental Justice and Equity, United States, World Resources Institute (Moderator)

The Wildfire-Stormwater Nexus
2023-04-10 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom Webinar
The Wildfire-Stormwater Nexus event hosted by UCLA’s Water Resource Group features Dr. Sanjay Mohanty, Director of SEALab, and Onja Davidson-Raoelison, Doctoral Researcher at SEALab, who will discuss their research on the effect of anthropogenic and natural stressors such as wildfire on biogeochemical processes in subsurface soil and mitigating negative impacts on surface water quality using green infrastructure.
The event will also feature remarks and a panel discussion from Dr. Faith Kearns, UC Water Institute Academic Coordinator, who will discuss science communication, community engagement, and relationship-building as they relate to the environment and water resources, and Ken Susilo, Senior Principal Water Resources Engineer at Geosyntec, who specializes in developing multi-benefit solutions for stormwater management and water conservation.
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Learn More: The UCLA Water Resources Group is a team of experts in water resources who collaborate to address global challenges, including extended drought, flooding, and water pollution. They create partnerships with governments, companies, and nonprofits to develop and implement solutions that require expertise in politics, economics, science, engineering, and law. For more information visit their website here.
Promotional Partners Include:

Geosyntec Consultants
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Luskin Summit 2023: Our Research in Action
2023-04-19 07:30 - 12:00 | UCLA Faculty Center, California Room Los Angeles, CA, United States
The fifth annual Luskin Summit will feature the unveiling of our annual poll about life in Los Angeles and six breakout sessions featuring scholars and civic leaders including:
9:30-10:30 a.m.

California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Plans — Necessary, but Insufficient
The Crisis of Resilient Water Supply in Southern California
Credit Worthiness and Ethno-Racial Disparities in Homeownership Opportunities

10:45-11:45 a.m.

Homeless Except for a Vehicle? Unique Needs, Humane Responses
Climate Action, Influence and Infrastructure Investments
Voting Rights, Redistricting and a Looming Supreme Court Decision That Might Change Everything

Detailed descriptions of these and other breakout sessions can be found on the Luskin Summit registration site. Space is limited for this free public event.
Paul Krekorian, president of the Los Angeles City Council and councilmember for District 2, will deliver the keynote address at 8:30 a.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center
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Schedule

Check-In and Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Keynote Address: 8:30 a.m.
Results of the annual Quality of Life Index: 9 a.m.
Breakout Sessions: 9:30-11:45 a.m.
Closing Session Focusing on Homelessness: 12:00pm

Sponsors (to date)

Bank of America
Weingart Foundation
David Bottinent Foundation
California Community Foundation
The California Wellness Foundation

Journey for Water, Climate and Environmental Justice: Luskin Lecture Featuring Catherine Coleman Flowers
2023-04-27 18:00 - 19:30 | UCLA’s Kerkhoff Hall Grand Salon, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
This event features MacArthur “genius” award-winning activist Catherine Coleman Flowers and her groundbreaking, community-driven work on the previously invisible problem of inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure in rural communities in the United States. The second half of the event will feature Catherine in discussion with Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board (California Water Board), and Megan Mullin, faculty director of the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI).
Flowers’ journey is discussed in the broader context of national climate and environmental justice advocacy. The discussion will include the sanitation equity work that will soon be launched by LCI’s Human Right to Water Solutions Lab in collaboration with the California Water Board and partners.
Time: Check-in begins at 5:30pm with the discussion following at 6:00pm on April 27.
Location: Charles E Young Grand Salon – Kerckhoff Hall, 308 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90095
Space is limited for this free event.
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Learn More: Catherine Coleman Flowers is an internationally recognized environmental activist, MacArthur “genius” grant recipient, and author. She has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for environmental justice, primarily equal access to clean water and functional sanitation for communities across the United States.
Founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ), Flowers has spent her career promoting equal access to clean water, air, sanitation, and soil to reduce health and economic disparities in marginalized, rural communities. In addition, Flowers serves as Rural Development Manager for Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), is a Board Member for the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Climate Reality Project and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Flowers is also Co-Chair of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on Accelerating Climate Action and Practitioner in Residence at Duke University.
In 2021, her leadership and fervor in fighting for solutions to these issues led her to one of her most notable appointments yet — Vice Chair of the Biden Administration’s inaugural White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Flowers was also named Levenick Resident Scholar in Sustainable Leadership at the University of Illinois for the spring 2021 and was awarded an honorary PhD in science from Wesleyan University.
As the author of Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret, Flowers shares her inspiring story of advocacy, from childhood to environmental justice champion. She discusses sanitation and its correlation with systemic class, racial, and geographic prejudice that affects people across the United States. She has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and on PBS.
Co-Hosted by the:
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
In collaboration with the following partners
Co-Sponsor:
California Institute for Water Resources at the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Promotional Partners at UCLA:
Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Sustainable LA Grand Challenge
Water Resources Group

Heat Equity Planning: Perspectives from Engaged Research and City Leaders on Partnerships to Advance Resilience for All
2023-05-15 12:15 - 14:15 | UCLA Public Affairs Building, Room 2343 337 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
The climate crisis is increasingly felt in communities across California and the nation. But studies find that the impacts of urban heat are particularly severe in areas formerly targeted for disinvestment through redlining.
What are large cities like LA doing in response and what else needs to be done to ensure heat resilience for all? How can UCLA and the broader research community help inform emerging city heat planning and cooling efforts to address past and future injustices?
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Speakers

CJ Gabbe, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Santa Clara University; and Visiting Scholar, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Michelle Gallarza, Master of Urban and Regional Planning Student, UCLA
Sara Hughes, Associate Professor Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan; Visiting Scholar, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Miguel Miguel, Master in Urban and Regional Planning Student, UCLA
Marta Segura, Chief Heat Officer and Director, Climate Emergency Mobilization Office, City of Los Angeles
Gregory Pierce, Co-Director, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

Promotional Partners

Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC)
UCLA Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment
UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLCRC)
UCLA Water Resources Group

21st Annual Mayoral Housing, Transportation & Jobs Summit
2023-05-19 07:00 - 15:00 | UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join our partner the Los Angeles Business Council for an event focused on how to achieve Los Angeles’ Housing Element goals, how to scale solutions to prevent the proliferation of people experiencing homelessness, the impact of federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on transportation infrastructure and housing and much more!
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Speakers
Confirmed speakers for this year include: Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, Mayor of Sacramento Darrell Steinberg, Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Lourdes M. Castro Ramírez, President & CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Teresa Bryce Bazemore, UCLA Chancellor Dr. Gene Block, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports Justin Erbacci, CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Stephanie Wiggins, and Founding & Vice Chair of the LABC and Trustee of The Rosaline and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Richard S. Ziman.
Schedule

7:00 am – 8:00 am: Breakfast and Registration
8:00 am – 3 pm: Planned Programming

Event Host
Los Angeles Business Council
Event Co-Chairs

Bank of America
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
California Community Foundation
FHL Bank San Francisco
Fivepoint
Wells Fargo
Weingart Foundation
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

Sustainability Summit
2023-09-22 07:00 - 15:00 | University of Southern California, Town & Gown, 665 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90089
Join us for a convening of leaders hosted by our partners at the Los Angeles Business Council and USC. This year’s Sustainability Summit will address our clean energy future, revitalizing our buildings with carbon free power, water resources and drought, achieving a new all-electric transportation sector, and much more.
Learn more about the heavy-hitting agenda and list of speakers here.

Environmental Graduate Students Mixer
2023-10-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Luskin School of Public Affairs 337 Charles E Young Drive East 3rd Floor Commons Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
All UCLA graduate students interested in environmental justice, sustainability, and resilience are invited to a free, cross-campus networking reception. Learn about environmental organizations, student funding opportunities, jobs, internships, and other resources across campus while mingling with fellow students who share your passion for the environment.
With food and drinks provided, this reception will provide a relaxed and informal atmosphere, fostering meaningful conversations and potential collaborations. You’ll have the chance to meet professionals and experts in the field who can offer valuable insights and advice. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make connections that could help shape your future in the environmental sector.
Register today to guarantee your spot, and get ready to network, learn, and have a great time at this reception event!
Event Collaborators at UCLA:

Campus Sustainability
Center for Healthy Climate Solutions
Center for Impact and Impact @ Anderson
Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment
Graduate Student Water Resources Group
Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Luskin Center for Innovation (main host)

Sustainability Success Stories: Alumnae at the Forefront
2023-11-01 12:15 - 13:30 | 5391 Luskin School of Public Affairs, United States
This event will feature a panel of accomplished alumnae who have blazed trails in the sustainability arena. Their experience, expertise, and success stories will inspire and empower fellow alumnae, current students, and aspiring professionals.
Register
What to Expect:

Light food and refreshments will be provided.
Networking opportunities with fellow panelists and attendees.
Our panelists will discuss their sustainability journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the path to success.
They will share insights and strategies for lasting impact in sustainability and related fields.

Protecting Student Health and Learning with Heat-Resilient Schools
2023-12-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom Webinar
This event has passed. Access the recording here.
The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, Ten Strands, and Undaunted K12 invite you to a Virtual Policy Forum: Protecting Student Health and Learning with Heat-Resilient Schools. Come learn about the impacts of extreme heat on our students and school communities, understand evidence-based strategies for heat-resilient schools, and gather ideas for impactful policy opportunities in California and beyond.
Extreme heat is a growing problem for California’s schools. Classroom and school yard temperatures can reach unhealthy levels and prevent students from learning, playing, and thriving on hot days. This is especially a problem in certain school districts, as illustrated in a heat mapping tool created by the Public Health Alliance of Southern California and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI). Dr. Kelly Turner of LCI will be presenting on her research, policy brief, and factsheets that detail solutions for protecting Californians with heat-resilient schools.
Meanwhile, new federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is available to help schools adapt to extreme heat. Sara Ross from UndauntedK12 will be sharing about how school districts can leverage these uncapped funds to bring in millions of dollars for ground source heat pump HVAC systems and microgrid systems (solar + storage). Both of these options are critical components of extreme heat adaptation in schools while ensuring schools can mitigate the root cause by decarbonizing their infrastructure.
Finally, Jonathan Klein from UndauntedK12 will be sharing other ideas legislators, legislative staff, and agency leaders should consider to adapt to and mitigate extreme heat at schools. Andra Yeghoian from Ten Strands will be moderating this exciting conversation.

Dr. Khalid Osman Lecture: Operationalization of Equity in the Drinking Water Sector
2024-02-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Room 4537, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, 337 Charles E Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Please RSVP to the event here.
Join us at the Luskin School of Public Affairs for an engaging talk on “System Consolidations and the Operationalization of Equity in the Drinking Water Sector” presented by Dr. Khalid Osman, an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Dr. Osman, who completed his Ph.D. at the University of Texas in 2022, will discuss his recent work on water system consolidation, broader equity metrics analysis in the U.S., and the operationalization of equity in water sector infrastructure. This talk is a must-attend for those interested in decentralized water and sanitation systems, water affordability, and the role of stakeholder-community engagement in building sustainable civil infrastructure for environmental justice.
Additional Details:

Lunch will be served. Please RSVP at the registration link to confirm your seat.
For any questions regarding the event, please contact wrgucla@gmail.com.

Transformative Action: UCLA Luskin at UC Center Sacramento
2024-02-14 09:00 - 12:30 | UC Center Sacramento, 1115 11th St Sacramento, United States
UCLA Luskin takes pride in helping to improve society through undergraduate and graduate education in the fields of public policy, social welfare and urban planning. We hope that our research can also help drive transformative action that produces policy solutions for California. To further this effort, the School will present its inaugural UCLA Luskin Briefing at the UC Center Sacramento on Feb. 14, 2024.
UCLA FACULTY PRESENTATIONS:
Changing How — and Where — Californians Get Their Water: UCLA Luskin researchers have examined which strategies work best for cities coping with dwindling water resources amid climate change. Research efforts that analyze water policy in six major metropolitan areas can guide legislators toward the best decisions on major statewide investments as California transitions from reliance on imported water to increased usage of nontraditional sources like recycled water, stormwater collection and desalination. Presented by Greg Pierce, adjunct associate professor of urban panning; co-executive director of the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Responding to Homelessness Through Land Use and Zoning Policy: A Fair Housing Land Use Score developed at UCLA measures the extent to which local regulations promote inclusion across neighborhoods. The Southern California scorecard shows most city zoning and housing plans do not advance fair housing goals, in some cases exacerbating rather than reversing segregation. Excluding new housing from desirable neighborhoods likely contributes to housing scarcity and unaffordability, while increasing the risk of homelessness. Presented by Michael Lens, associate professor of urban planning and public policy; associate faculty director, Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
OTHER PRESENTERS
Current legislators, representatives of government agencies and other policy experts will provide insights during the panel discussion and Q&A sessions to follow. This event is also envisioned as a listening opportunity. If you’re involved in policymaking in Sacramento, please contact us about attending and encourage your colleagues to do so as well. We look forward to hearing your suggestions relating to legislative priorities that would benefit from UCLA research.
SCHEDULE
Check-In and Breakfast: 9 a.m.
Opening Remarks: 9:30 a.m.
Panel 1: 9:45 a.m.
Networking break: 10:45 a.m.
Panel 2: 11 a.m.
Closing Remarks: noon
INQUIRE ABOUT ATTENDING

Luskin Summit 2024: Transformative Action
2024-04-17 07:30 - 14:30 | UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center
The sixth annual Luskin Summit will feature a keynote presentation and the unveiling of our annual poll about life in Los Angeles, plus six breakout discussions. Speakers and details will be announced as the day draws closer:
9:30-10:30 a.m.

Cooling Strategies for an Active L.A. in a Warming World
Understanding the Diversity of the Los Angeles Electorate
Advancing Universal Basic Mobility for those in need: L.A.’s Mobility Wallet Pilot

10:45-11:45 a.m.

Transformative Climate Communities in the L.A. Region
Los Angeles City Council Considers Major Changes
A Capital Improvement Program for Los Angeles

Detailed descriptions of these and other breakout sessions can be found on the Luskin Summit registration site. Space is limited for this public event.
REGISTER NOW
Schedule

Check-in and Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks: 8:15 a.m.
Results of the Quality of Life Index: 8:30 a.m
Breakout Sessions: 9:30-11:45 a.m.
Keynote Session on Homelessness: 12:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch: 1:15 p.m.

Sponsors (to date)

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Bank of America
David Bohnett Foundation
Wasserman Foundation
Weingart Foundation
The James Irvine Foundation
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
HealthNet
The California Wellness Foundation
California Community Foundation
KABC-TV, Media Partner

The 22nd Annual LABC Mayoral Housing, Transportation and Jobs Summit: Solutions for a More Livable Future
2024-05-10 07:30 - 15:30 | UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Following significant policy changes in the past year to housing, homelessness and mobility sectors at the local, regional and state levels, this year’s LABC Mayoral Housing Transportation & Jobs Summit will bring together top officials and business leaders to analyze these changes and chart the path forward to improve the livability and economic competitiveness of our region and state.

Register
Join us as we discuss

Mayoral actions to combat the housing and homelessness crises in cities across California
Innovative mental health approaches addressing homelessness
Streamlining the development process to increase needed housing production
Shaping the future of mobility in L.A. leading up to the ’26 World Cup, ’27 Superbowl and ’28 Olympics

Schedule

7am : Breakfast & Registration
8am – 3:30pm : Program

What's on Tap: LA's Water Story, Source to Spigot
2024-07-13 15:45 - 17:45 | Avenue 50 Studio, 131 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park, 90042
Join us for the opening reception of “What’s on Tap: LA’s Water Story, Source to Spigot,” curated by Edith De Guzman and Jolly de Guzman. This event will feature a panel discussion on the water issues that most affect LA’s and California’s communities, including affordability, access to clean water, tap water (dis)trust, and where LA sources its water.
Panelists:

Candice Dickens-Russell, President & CEO, Friends of the Los Angeles River
Victor Griego, Founder, Water Education for Latino Leaders
Silvia R. González, Director of Research, UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute
Alesia Montgomery, Assistant Professor, UCLA Department of African American Studies and Institute of Environment and Sustainability

Moderator:

Gregory Pierce, Director, UCLA Water Resources Group

Event Details:

Date: July 13, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Panel discussion starts at 4:00 PM)
Location: Avenue 50 Studio, 131 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park, 90042

Partners:

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
UCLA Water Resources Group
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Arroyo Arts Collective
Dear Antler

We look forward to seeing you there!

Urban Forestry for Changing Times: The Practice of Science and the Science of Practice
2024-09-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Angeles National Forest Headquarters (Supervisor’s Office), 701 North Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006
Register
Click here to register
Agenda:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Check-in and Light Breakfast
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Main Program
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Networking Reception (Hosted by USC Public Exchange)

Join a diverse group of regional researchers, practitioners, and representatives from government and nonprofit organizations for a day of stimulating panel discussions and networking opportunities. Topics will include:

The state of urban forestry research
Science delivery & communication
Urban forest equity
Urban forest planning and management

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PDT
Location: Angeles National Forest Headquarters (Supervisor’s Office), 701 North Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006
Parking: Free parking is available at the venue. Carpooling is encouraged.

Confirmed Speakers:

Marianna Babboni, USC Urban Trees Initiative
Cindy Blain, California ReLeaf
Edith de Guzman, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation/UC Cooperative Extension
Francisco Escobedo, US Forest Service/LA Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability
Rebecca Ferdman, Los Angeles County
Amanda Hansen, California Natural Resources Agency
Darrel Jenerette, UC Riverside
Rachel Malarich, City of Los Angeles
Alessandro Ossola, UC Davis
Lara Roman, US Forest Service
Kirsten Schwarz, UCLA
Rachel Smith, US Forest Service
Jon Swae, City of San Francisco
Aaron Thomas, North East Trees

Co-Presented by:

We look forward to seeing you there!

18th Annual Sustainability Summit
2024-09-06 07:00 - 15:00 | Town and Gown, University of Southern California (USC)
Sustainability Summit:
Date: Friday, September 6th
Time: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM (PDT)
Location: Town and Gown, University of Southern California (USC)
The 18th Annual Sustainability Summit will focus on meeting California’s clean energy goals, off-shore wind, hydrogen hub designation, expanding the western energy market, zero emission transportation, and leveraging federal incentives.
Click here for info
Keynote Speakers:

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
Yana Garcia, California Secretary for Environmental Protection

Featured Speakers:

Janisse Quiñones, CEO and Chief Engineer, LADWP
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources
Dr. Carol Folt, President, University of Southern California
Evan Halper, Business Reporter, The Washington Post
Darcie L. Houck, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission
Richard Katz, President, LADWP Board of Commissioners
Eugene D. Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles
Jason Barrett, Senior Vice President Sales, GAF Energy
Jonathan Silver, Chair, Global Climate Council at Apollo Global Management
Elliot Mainzer, CEO & President, California ISO
Nick Ellis, Principal, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund
Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President, Grid & Distribution Scale Power, EDF Renewables

Sponsors:
Co-Chairs: Walmart, FivePoint, Bank of America, USC, Southern California Edison
Gold Sponsors: Amazon, GAF Energy, United Airlines
Silver Sponsors: Cedars Sinai, Permacity, Southwestern Power Group, and others.
In Cooperation With:
UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI)
We look forward to seeing you there!

What's on Tap: Panel and Art Exhibit on LA's Water Story from Source....to Spigot
2024-09-29 15:00 - 18:00 | El Tranquilo Gallery, W-19 Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
The public is invited to a free event about the past, present and future of Los Angeles water
When: Sunday, September 29 from 3 – 6 pm
Where: El Tranquilo Gallery at W-19 Olvera Street, Los Angeles 90012
Event Features:

Panel discussion (see below for details);
Closing reception for the art exhibit “What’s On Tap: LA’s Water Story…Source to Spigot”;
Live music by Shoshana Ben-Horin; and
Blind water tasting where participants will be able to taste how the flavors of three brands of bottled water compare with each other and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power tap water.

Professor Megan Mullin, faculty director of the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, will moderate the panel.
Panelists will include:
Edith de Guzman, who co-curated the art exhibit, and is the UC Cooperative Extension specialist for water equity and adaptation policy with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation;
Amanda Begley, watershed senior program manager for TreePeople;
Conner Everts, facilitator for the Environmental Water Caucus, executive director of the Southern California Watershed Alliance, and co-chair of the Desal Response Group; and
Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Environmental Graduate Students Networking Reception
2024-10-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Luskin Center for Innovation
Join us for a complimentary, cross-campus mixer to learn about environmental opportunities at UCLA and meet students, staff, and faculty from across campus.
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT.
Date and time
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PDT
Location

UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
337 Charles E Young Drive East, 3rd Floor Commons, Los Angeles, CA 90095

About this event

Environmental Graduate Students Networking Reception
All UCLA graduate students interested in environmental justice, sustainability, and resilience are invited to a free, cross-campus networking reception. Learn about environmental organizations, student funding opportunities, jobs, internships, and other resources across campus while mingling with fellow students who share your passion for the environment.
This reception, with food and drinks, will provide a relaxed and informal atmosphere, fostering meaningful conversations and potential collaborations. You’ll have the chance to meet professionals and experts who can offer valuable insights and advice. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make connections that could help shape your future in the environmental sector.

Mark your calendar and get ready to mingle, learn, eat, and have a great time at this Mixer!
Hosted by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation at the Luskin School of Public Affairs, in collaboration with the following partners across UCLA:

Campus Sustainability (campus-wide)

Leaders in Sustainability Graduate Certificate Program and the Graduate Student Water Resources Group (Institute of the Environment and Sustainability)
Center for Healthy Climate Solutions (Fielding School of Public Health)
Cross-Campus Innovation Challenge and the Center for Impact (Anderson School of Business)
Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment (School of Law)

Causes, Impacts and Aftermath of the L.A. Wildfires
2025-01-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Webinar
Our partners at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Sustainable LA Grand Challenge will host the event “Expert Insights on the Causes, Impacts and Aftermath of the L.A. Wildfires.” This webinar will feature a panel of wildfire, climate science, and water experts including Greg Pierce, co-executive director of the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.
Register here: https://ucla.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SgvWGpzcR_alRtl61OAjWw#/registration
Please click here to submit your questions in advance of the webinar by Thursday, January 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Alissa Walker's Torched Talk Featuring LCI's Edith de Guzman and Greg Pierce
2025-01-27 08:00 - 17:00
Back in December, which feels like a lifetime ago, Alissa Walker booked the next Torched Talks as a conversation about the challenges of staging a megaevent in LA’s extreme heat. While the Southern California wildfires have absolutely brought the dangers of extreme heat to the forefront, we certainly have more to talk about now than just planting shade trees. Fortunately, the speakers also know a lot about fire:
Edith de Guzman, water equity and adaptation policy cooperative extension specialist for the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources and UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation as well as co-founder of the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative
Greg Pierce, co-director of UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation and director of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab. A
When: Tuesday, January 28 at noon
Where: Virtual webinar
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82819230848?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 828 1923 0848
Passcode: [REDACTED]

After Wildfire: Migration and Neighborhood Change Post Disaster
2025-02-20 14:15 - 15:30 | 5391 Luskin School of Public Affairs, United States
Join us for an engaging talk by Kathryn McConnell on how communities transform in the aftermath of wildfire events. Professor McConnell will share insights from her work on how communities adapt and transform in the aftermath of wildfire events, offering valuable perspectives on resilience, displacement, and urban change. Her findings have relevance and implications to inform more equitable rebuilding in Los Angeles.
This event is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in environmental sociology and disaster studies. Whether you’re interested in climate adaptation, urban planning, or social dynamics, this talk will provide thought-provoking analysis and foster meaningful discussion.
Register

About Kathryn:
Kathryn McConnell is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia. Her research examines the intersection of environmental hazards, the built environment, and population mobility, with a focus on understanding the long-term impacts of highly destructive wildfires. Kathryn previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University’s Population Studies and Training Center. She holds a PhD and an MESc from Yale School of the Environment.

Luskin Sacramento Briefing
2025-02-25 09:00 - 12:15 | UC Student and Policy Center
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs takes pride in helping to improve society through undergraduate and graduate education in the fields of public policy, social welfare and urban planning. We hope that our research can also light the way toward policy action that produces real solutions for California.
To further this effort, the School will present its second annual UCLA Luskin Briefing at UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
The gathering will feature two panel discussions coordinated by esteemed UCLA Luskin faculty members and their affiliated research centers in collaboration with elected officials, government agencies and other policy experts:
Register Here
How Can California Maximize Investment Benefits for Heat-Resilient Communities?
Presented by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
California is making significant investments and targeted interventions to build resilience to extreme heat, particularly for its most vulnerable communities. In support, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation conducts research to inform state policies and investments that address extreme heat. LCI researchers and other expert panelists will shed light on why state legislators should care about extreme heat mitigation and management, what the state is doing, and how upcoming investments and additional policies could benefit Californians in direst need of intervention in settings such as schools, homes and public spaces.
Panelists

Moderator: Alissa Ko, Health Net
Faculty Presenter: V. Kelly Turner, UCLA Luskin
Legislator: State Sen. Caroline Menjivar
Agency Representative: Braden Kay, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
Community Representative: Christian Rodriguez Ceja, Kounkuey Design Initiative

Can California Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled? Should It?
Presented by the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
California has declared that it wants to reduce the total number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across the state. In this session, presenters will discuss strategies and best practices for achieving this complex goal. VMT is accompanied by undeniable costs but also by real benefits — and the benefits may be largest, paradoxically, in places where driving is most common. Thus, the broader goal of making VMT less necessary involves both reducing the amount of space given over to automobiles while also recognizing that, for the immediate future, some increases in driving will be socially desirable.
Panelists

Moderator: Catharine Baker, UC Student and Policy Center
Faculty Presenters: Adam Millard-Ball and Michael Manville, UCLA Luskin
Legislator: State Sen. Catherine Blakespear
Agency Representative: Chanell Fletcher, California Air Resources Board
