Publications

Technology has facilitated the accelerated growth of e-commerce and food delivery jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. But these jobs often suffer from low wages and limited access to legal rights and benefits, and the passage of Proposition 22 in California this fall exacerbates the problem, according to a new report by the UC Berkeley Labor Center and Working Partnerships USA. Co-authored by Chris Benner, Director of the Institute for Social Transformation.

Delivering Insecurity: E-commerce and the Future of Work in Food RetailRead More

Human Rights Investigations Labs at UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley collaborated on open source research focused on the human rights crisis in Chile, which began with massive anti-government demonstrations a year ago that prompted a swift and sometimes brutal government crackdown on protestors. The Human Rights Lab at UC Santa Cruz is directed by Sylvanna Falcón, an associate professor of Latin American and Latino studies.

Human Rights Crisis in Chile: A Digital InquiryRead More

In Los Angeles County, 80% of eligible voters aged 18-24 are young people of color. The LA Youth Vote targeted this diverse population with the goal of fostering a more representative young electorate. This report offers a description and analysis of a collaborative effort to enhance racially diverse young citizens’ engagement in the democratic process. Co-authored by Veronica Terriquez, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

The LA Youth Vote and the Activation of a Young and Diverse ElectorateRead More

Examining nationally representative data, this study finds that the number of active business owners in the United States is down in May by 2.2 million or 15 percent from February 2020, but up 7 percent since the low in April. Disproportionate impacts are found for minority and immigrant business owners. By Robert Fairlie, Professor of Economics, UC Santa Cruz.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Business Owners: Continued Losses and the Partial Rebound in May 2020Read More

Grassroots youth organizing groups, growing in number and influence over the last decade, have raised civic awareness and engagement among youth in California’s agricultural Central Valley. By Veronica Terriquez, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

Youth Organizing Groups Empower Diverse Young Leaders in California’s Central ValleyRead More

This article highlights geographies of COVID infection, vulnerability, resilience, blame, immunization, interdependence and care, with resources for online teaching about the pandemic. Co-authored by Matt Sparke, Professor of Politics at UC Santa Cruz.

Contextualizing Coronavirus GeographicallyRead More

This survey report of app-based ride-hailing and food and grocery-delivery workers in San Francisco underscores the financial vulnerability of workers in the gig economy—and the coronavirus has made their plight much worse. Co-authored by Chris Benner, Director of the Institute for Social Transformation.

On-Demand and on-the-edge: Ride-hailing and Delivery Workers in San FranciscoRead More

This report analyzes the inclusion and operationalization of “equity” in 170 California cities’ and counties’ Climate Action Plans (CAPs). In the face of intensifying environmental crisis, and the apparent failure of national politics to address it, municipal planning has become the leading frontier of climate change action. Co-authored by Hillary Angelo, Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

The Challenge of Equity in California’s Municipal Climate Action PlansRead More

In the long term, not just in the current emergency, mutuality matters—not only morally but economically, too. An ethos of mutual caring and support not only leads to better health outcomes, but also helps to generate a more vibrant and resilient society.

Solidarity Economics—for the Coronavirus Crisis and BeyondRead More

In the midst of the growing public animosity towards Silicon Valley–based technology firms—the so-called techlash—it is easy to forget that Silicon Valley was once seen as the harbinger of a new information economy, built on dynamism, innovation, and a meritocratic labour market that would help spread prosperity around the globe.

Beyond the Techlash: Silicon Valley and structures of inequalityRead More

The report provides information on the history, structure, governance, and plans for SVRDT including UC Santa Cruz’s expected role in the SVRDT Research-Practice Partnership.

IDS CASE STUDY: Silicon Valley Regional Data TrustRead More

As California faces off against the federal government on everything from immigration to climate change, the state has the opportunity to do something radically different: transform our infrastructure, education, workforce development, housing, and transportation systems for the 21st century.

From Resistance to Renewal: A 12-Step Program for Innovation and Inclusion in the California EconomyRead More