Publications

The Our Salton Sea initiative launched in 2021 to provide a more inclusive vision for remediation of the Salton Sea. More than a diminishing body of water requiring environmental mitigation, the revitalization of the Salton Sea creates an opportunity to provide a healthy and economically resilient future for the tens of thousands of people who live within the immediate area. A partnership of Alianza Coachella Valley; the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; the UCR Center for Social Innovation; and the Institute for Social Transformation at UC Santa Cruz.

Our Salton Sea: Investing in People for a Thriving RegionRead More

Black farmers face multiple intersecting threats to their land tenure, including the lack of legal protections for the collective landownership form known as heirs’ property and the harmful legacy of government discrimination in farm lending. Policy action is needed to ensure that investor demand does not compound these existing injustices so that a diverse and vibrant small farm sector can thrive across the Southeast. Co-authored by Madeleine Fairbairn (UCSC), Elsa Calderon (UCSC), and Jordan Treakle (NFFC).

Selling Out the Delta: Farmland Investment and Small Farmer Land Access in MississippiRead More

In May 2021, the State of California Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) awarded a contract to UC Santa Cruz to evaluate water importation concepts to refill the Salton Sea. An Independent Review Panel was established, with the charge to evaluate public submissions describing ways to import water to the Salton Sea basin to restore the Sea. Report prepared by Brent M. Haddad Ph.D. (UC Santa Cruz).

Salton Sea Independent Review Panel Summary Report: Evaluation of Water Importation Concepts for Long-Term Salton Sea RestorationRead More

In the face of increasing development opportunities in the Salton Sea region, this report analyzes the opportunities and challenges for ensuring that any future local development projects foster an inclusive, sustainable, and equitable economy. Authored by UC Santa Cruz graduate students, Nate Edenhofer and Alejandro Artiga-Purcell.

Salton Sea Initiative Track One: Measuring and Developing Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable EconomiesRead More

Funded in part by the institute’s Building Belonging program research fellowships, this study examines trends in environmental studies departments in California. Using survey data collected from faculty within 22 such departments in the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems, this study explores the demographic characteristics of faculty in these departments, how these demographics are related to tenure status, and the implications of these results for student success.

Faculty diversity in California environmental studies departments: implications for student learningRead More

Play is a critical input to positive child and youth development. Recess is the only time in the school day when students can learn and practice social and emotional skills as well as be physically active, connect with friends, and take a break from the structure of the classroom. Today, in the aftermath of the trauma and isolation wrought by COVID-19, California’s students need the healing time of recess. Authored by Rebecca London, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

The Right to Play: A Policy Guide to California Recess PrioritiesRead More

Miriam Greenberg reflects on the CISER project No Place Like Home, which addressed the affordable housing crisis in Santa Cruz County. The power of the project, as well as the friction it caused, was rooted in the historical, political, and place-based conjuncture in which it emerged—one that made their research topic both extremely timely and divisive. Authored by Miriam Greenberg, Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

Community-Engaged Research (CER) in Contentious Times: Some ReflectionsRead More

Resurgent “culture wars” and American partisan politics have once again put higher education on the hot seat, and universities find themselves on the defensive, fending off charges of elitism, liberal bias, and irrelevance. Community-engaged research (CER) has become increasingly common on today’s campuses as part of this counter-campaign. McKay outlines attempts at the UCSC to develop a critical CER model. Authored by Steve McKay, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

Critical Engagement: Deepening Partnerships for JusticeRead More

Rebecca London writes on her experience and expertise with community-engaged research, arguing that rather than sequester community-engaged research to the sidelines of academia, sociology should elevate it as a rigorous, theoretically rich, and ethical way to conduct research and advance social justice. Authored by Rebecca London, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Cruz.

Research for, by, and about the PeopleRead More

This research examines how faculty of color (FOC) experience Whiteness in structures of leadership in an HSI context, and how their own leadership perspectives and efforts reform such structures. The research highlighted how Whiteness was reflected in the structural diversity of leadership; the devaluation of leadership efforts of FOC; and in undemocratic approaches to decision-making. The research also examines how FOC reformed such structures. Co-authored by Rebecca Covarrubias, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Katherine Quinteros, graduate student in Psychology.

Faculty of Color Exposing and Reforming Structures of Whiteness in LeadershipRead More

This policy brief provides guidance on frameworks and tools that can accelerate progress towards a more inclusive economic recovery in the Salton Sea region of inland Southern California. Co-authored by the UC Santa Cruz Institute for Social Transformation, UC Riverside Center for Social Innovation, and Alianza Coachella Valley.

Our Salton Sea: Where Theory Meets Practice on Inclusive Economic DevelopmentRead More

Santa Cruz County, well known for its beaches, university, and laid-back culture, has recently become renowned for another feature: It is one of the least affordable areas to live. This report is the culmination of a three-year research project, conducted by faculty and students at UC Santa Cruz, with the goal of understanding the affordable housing crisis and its lessons for the region and beyond. Co-authored by Miriam Greenberg, Steven McKay, James Sirigotis, and Thao Le from UC Santa Cruz.

No Place Like Home: Affordable Housing in Crisis, Santa Cruz County, CARead More