As part of the Unruh Institute POSC 395 Policy Research Internship, students work collaboratively with prominent political partners to develop policy solutions to real-world challenges facing the nation. Students take part in team-based research projects, like the ones below, to tackle challenges including mass transportation, climate change, homelessness, broadband access, educational disparities, wildfires, and polarization.
Fall 2024: Displacement and Affordable Housing in Los Angeles
Working with the LA City Attorney’s office, students explored how new development and the short-term rental market impacts the displacement of residents, and they researched solutions to address the affordable housing supply and homelessness issues in Los Angeles.
Fall 2024: Impact of Technology on Political Participation
Working with NationBuilder, students explored how technology can be used to facilitate political participation, mobilization, and fundraising.
Spring 2024: The Impact of Eminent Domain on BIPOC Communities and Their Intergenerational Wealth in Los Angeles
The Research Internship students explored how eminent domain affected communities in south Los Angeles, especially Black communities within California’s 37th Congressional district.
Spring 2024: Vacant Properties, Vacancy Tax, and Growing the Housing Supply in Los Angeles
The Research Internship students examined cities that have passed vacancy taxes and similar legislation to develop policies that can make the best use of vacant buildings in Los Angeles.
Fall 2023: How a Bill Becomes a Law: Depolarization Legislation
The Research Internship students examined the 2021 Building Civic Bridges Act and the context for its implementation, as well as reviewed existing government programs that support strengthening community connections and explored the impact of polarization on American companies.
Fall 2023: Political Reforms: Ranked Choice, Nonpartisan Redistricting, and Open Primaries
The Research Internship students examined political reforms that have the greatest chance of passage and reducing political polarization in the United States.
Spring 2023: Making Public Transit Attractive in a Hybrid World
The Research Internship students researched how Metrolink can grow their ridership, especially among a hybrid workforce and Gen Z.
Spring 2023: Superpower California: The Indispensable State?
The Research Internship students researched the various aspects of subnational power and how it interacts with federal institutions and world bodies.
Fall 2022: Impact of Civic Participation in Young Voters
The Research Internship students researched youth civic participation and civic engagement messaging.
Fall 2022: Online Privacy and Security Measure for Minors
The Research Internship students researched online privacy and security measures in California regarding minors.
Spring 2022: 2022 Elections and Early Childhood Policymaking
The Research Internship students researched key issues shaping L.A. area elections, like early childhood education.
Spring 2022: Impacts of Regulation Effecting the 5th Supervisorial District
The Research Internship students researched housing accessibility in L.A. and incarcerated communities’ mental health.
Fall 2021: Equity Investments in LA County 2nd District
The Policy Internship Research students researched how LA County’s 2nd district could provide more equitable services and investments for residents.
Fall 2021: Homeless Services and Prevention for Women in LA
The Policy Internship Research students researched homeless services and prevention for women in Los Angeles.
Spring 2021: California Wildfire Management
The Policy Internship Research students researched how California’s wildfire management policies can adapt and improve.
Spring 2021: Depolarizing America
The Policy Internship Research students researched how to depolarize American politics at a time when our country seems deeply divided.
Fall 2020: 5G Expansion and the Digital Divide
The Policy Internship Research students researched how to close the digital divide during the advent of the roll out of 5G wireless capabilities.
Fall 2020: Universal Pre-K in LAUSD
The Policy Internship Research students researched how to implement a universal pre-k program and affordable housing system in LAUSD.
Spring 2020: Early Childhood Education
The Policy Internship Research students researched improvements for early childhood education.
Spring 2020: Managed Retreat
The Policy Internship Research students researched how to enact and confront managed retreat.
Fall 2019: Immigration Reform
The Policy Internship Research cohort researched solutions for the United State’s immigration system.
Fall 2019: The 2020 Primaries and Caucuses
The Policy Research Internship cohort researched the intricacies of the 2020 primaries and caucuses.
Spring 2019: California High Speed Rail
The Policy Research Internship students researched California’s High Speed Rail project.
Spring 2019: Los Angeles Biodiversity
The Policy Research Internship students researched the City of Los Angeles’ biodiversity strategy.
Fall 2018: Affordable Housing
The Policy Research Internship students researched affordable housing in the Los Angeles District 11 Westchester and Del Rey communities.
Fall 2018: Ballot Initiatives
The Policy Research Internship students researched the ballot initiative process in California.
Spring 2018: Early Child Care Education
The Policy Research Internship students researched early child care and education in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Spring 2018: Homelessness in Los Angeles
The Policy Research Internship students evaluated the current homelessness crisis in Los Angeles County.
Fall 2017: Electoral College Reform
The Policy Research Internship students evaluated electoral college reforms and made recommendations.
Fall 2017: Homelessness Policy in Los Angeles
The Policy Research Internship students developed a strategic plan to address homelessness in Los Angeles.