All-In: Co-Creating Knowledge for Justice Conference October 26-28, 2022 | Santa Cruz, CA There is an exciting resurgence in critical public scholarship: a push for universities to reach beyond their academic audiences and build stronger community-university partnerships to jointly tackle …
Publications
On-Demand and on-the-edge: Ride-hailing and Delivery Workers in San Francisco
By: Chris Benner (UC Santa Cruz) with Erin Johansson (Jobs With Justice), Kung Feng (Jobs With Justice) and Hays Witt (Drivers Seat Cooperative) May 5, 2020 A new survey of app-based ride-hailing and food and grocery-delivery workers in San Francisco underscores the financial vulnerability of …
On-Demand and on-the-edge: Ride-hailing and Delivery Workers in San FranciscoRead More
Can oil extraction fuel sustainable development in Guyana? Beware the resource curse
Environmental studies and Latin American and Latino studies major Chris Mathura won the dean’s award for his research examining early impacts of oil drilling off the coast of Guyana in South America. Originally published in the UCSC News Center by Allison Arteaga Soergel June 30, …
Can oil extraction fuel sustainable development in Guyana? Beware the resource curseRead More
Horse teeth hold historical clues about military power and trade in Western Africa
Undergraduate Elyse Venerable won the Chancellor’s Award and Dean’s Award for her research using strontium isotope analysis to uncover the origins of Oyo Empire war horses. Originally published in the UCSC News Center by Allison Arteaga Soergel June 13, 2025 During her time at …
Horse teeth hold historical clues about military power and trade in Western AfricaRead More
Gathering for Change Gala
Gathering for Change Gala May 30, 2025 Event Photos Thank you for joining us for an unforgettable evening at the Gathering for Change Gala, where the community came together to learn about and celebrate the unwavering power of collective action in building a better future, even in …
Building Belonging Student Showcase 2025
Building Belonging Student Showcase May 14, 2025 The Institute for Social Transformation hosted an end-of-year celebration and student showcase event to honor the work that has been accomplished in the Building Belonging Program. Students involved in the program in 2024-2025 presented their …
Solidarity Economics Series: Childcare in the Monterey Bay
Co-authored by Gabriella Alvarez (UCSC), Sonja Koehler and Chris Benner (UCSC) May 2025 The institute’s joint project, Solidarity Economics, has released a report focused on the intersection between childcare and building a more inclusive economy. The report highlights how inadequate access …
Solidarity Economics Series: Childcare in the Monterey BayRead More
The Power Line: Strengthening Academic-Community Partnerships for Change
Authored by Chris Benner, Darío León, and Susan Grasso (UCSC) March 2025 This report examines the role of academic-community partnerships in strengthening and sustaining community power-building efforts. The study builds on the Lead Local initiative, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson …
The Power Line: Strengthening Academic-Community Partnerships for ChangeRead More
Let Them Eat Big Macs, Crunchwraps, and Whoppers: A Working Paper Describing the Local Impact of California’s $20 Fast Food Minimum Wage in the City of Santa Cruz
Authored by Stephen Owen (UCSC Economics Department), Ella Ripley-Rodriguez, Molly Jenkins, and Sophie Walsh Contributions from Undergraduate Research Fellows in the Building Belonging Program January 2025 This study examines the local impact of California’s Assembly Bill 1228, which …
Student Testimonials from the Transforming Futures 2024 Program
By Belle Esters, CUIP Programs and Outreach Intern for the Institute for Social Transformation Internships are an essential component for career success, providing an important experiential learning opportunity for students to gain hands-on professional experience and create future career …
Student Testimonials from the Transforming Futures 2024 ProgramRead More
A Foundation for Change: Understanding African American Community Conditions in Monterey and San Benito Counties
In collaboration with UC Santa Cruz Institute for Social Transformation (Gabriella Alvarez and Chris Benner), Action Council of Monterey County, Monterey County Black Caucus, and New Hope Baptist Church January 2025 Executive Summary This report presents a picture of the demographics, …
