Calendar - School of Public Policy

Apr 22, 2026: Provost's Lecture: Dr. Jens Ludwig - "What If Everything We Know About Gun Violence Is Wrong?" at School of Medicine Education Building II

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0700

Join us for the next installment of the UC Riverside Provost's Lecture Series and the UCR School of Public Policy Dean's Ten-Year Anniversary Series featuring Jens Ludwig.

UCR Provost Elizabeth Watkins and SPP Dean Mark Long will deliver opening remarks. The lecture is open to faculty, staff, students, and the wider community.

About the Event: Drawing on decades of research and immersive fieldwork in Chicago, University of Chicago behavioral economist Jens Ludwig shows that most gun violence in America is not what we have long thought—and that the solutions can be simple, sidestepping the political debates that have hampered progress on one of the United States’ most intractable problems. The talk is based on Ludwig’s new book “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence,” named one of the New Yorker’s Best Books of 2025.

About the Speaker: Jens Ludwig is the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, co-director of the National Bureau of Economic Research’s working group on the economics of crime, and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. He started the Crime Lab 18 years ago to serve as an R&D partner to the public sector to help solve some of society’s most difficult policy challenges. The Crime Lab’s work has changed public policy at scale in Chicago, New York and other cities around the country, with results published in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals across multiple disciplines and featured in national news outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NPR and PBS News Hour.

About the Provost’s Lecture Series: Launched in 2026, the Provost’s Lecture Series is designed to bring distinguished members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters to UC Riverside for meaningful engagement with our faculty and students.

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Apr 23, 2026: Riverside Council Candidate Forum | Ward 2 at Alumni & Visitors Center

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0700

Your vote matters. Come hear from your Ward 2 City Council Candidates as we talk about issues impacting your neighborhood.

Our Ward 2 Forum is designed with our Ward 2 Neighbors in mind-- but all community members are welcome! ( Not sure where Ward 2 is? Check this map out.)

Schedule

6 PM | Doors Open6:30-8 PM | Candidate ForumModerated by Dan Bernstein, longtime Enterprise columnist.

Hosted by Justin Pardee at The Raincross Gazette.

Submit your Questions

Do you live in Ward 2? We want to start a conversation about the issues affecting your neighborhood. Ask your questions when you register for your ticket.

Things You Need to Know

All Riversiders welcomeFree Parking | You will receive information about free parking the week before the event.

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Apr 24, 2026: MPP Information Session

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0700

Master of Public Policy Information Session

Learn about what makes the MPP program unique through its curriculum, faculty, experiential learning and research. Register now to learn more about the Master of Public Policy program at UC Riverside and for an exclusive opportunity to get your application fee waived.

Applications for fall 2026 are now being accepted.

Please note, registrants will receive Zoom link prior to the event.

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Apr 28, 2026: Spring Quarter Pre-Health Professions Application Checklist Info. Session

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0700

Applying to a health professions program and not sure where to start? This session will cover the list of must-do’s along with a timeline of what to do and when! This session is for all pre-health students/alumni considering applying for this cycle or in the future. This info. session is hosted by the Pre-Professional Advising Center, a unit of the Division of Undergraduate Education.

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Apr 28, 2026: School of Public Policy Career Fair at Alumni & Visitors Center

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0700

Join the UCR School of Public Policy for a career fair where you can meet with state, local, and non profit agencies for networking and learning about opportunities for employment! You do not have to be a public policy student to attend.

Date: April 28th, 2026 | Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

With special appearances by:

Nick Maduros, California Secretary of Government OperationsSally Ly, California Deputy Secretary, Workforce Development

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May 6, 2026: Surviving Solitary: Living & Working in U.S. Restricted Housing Units at TBD

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:00:00 -0700

On any given day, an estimated 60,000–80,000 people are housed in restricted housing units (RHUs) across the United States. Although often associated with the most serious misconduct, RHUs are frequently used for a wide range of disciplinary and administrative reasons, and up to 40% of incarcerated individuals will spend time in these settings. Characterized by heightened security, limited human interaction, and minimal access to programming, RHUs also shape the daily work of the staff assigned to supervise them - often with little specialized training.

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May 14, 2026: Randall Lewis Policy Fellows Concluding Event at Alumni & Visitors Center

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700

An end-of-program celebration and showcase featuring the students involved in the Randall Lewis Policy Fellowship. The policy work the students have been confucting during their placements with San Bernardino and Riverside County agecies will be presented to attendees. More information to come!

Free to attend and open to the public.

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