Transcript USC California Policy Institute A Progress Report Walter A. Zelman Director Perceived Need    Policymakers and researchers have different perceptions of: need, timing, career advancement, preferred means.

USC California Policy Institute
A Progress Report
Walter A. Zelman
Director
Perceived Need
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Policymakers and researchers have different
perceptions of: need, timing, career advancement,
preferred means of communication, etc.
Barriers emerge that inhibit development of
productive relationships between the two
communities.
Policymaking could benefit from enhanced, effective
participation of research and researchers.
Perceived Need
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Term limits and other developments have
undermined the capacity of policymakers to
utilize research-based information
Pro-active efforts are needed to improve
relationships between research and
policymaking communities.
Mission
Improve the Sacramento policymaking
process by enhancing communication and
institutionalizing relationships and networks
between California’s research and
policymaking communities.
Core Activities
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Create partnering opportunities for
researchers and policymakers.
Disseminate research findings to the state
capital policymaking community.
Disseminate research selectively, via means
and in formats that make use of the
information most likely.
Core Activities
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Advise the research community of the
research needs of the policymaking
community.
Assist researchers in contacting foundations,
government agencies and others who may
have interests in their areas of expertise.
Core Values
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Political neutrality.
The promotion and distribution of high quality
research from all research sources.
Collaborative, cross-disciplinary approaches
to the analysis of major, complex public
policy issues.
Core Values
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The promotion of theoretical, as well as
applied analysis as a means of better
understanding practical options.
The development and, where possible,
institutionalization of partnerships between
the research and policy communities.
Initial Areas of Focus
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Health
Education
Governance
Others to be added depending on interest
and financing
Three Central Questions
Special focus on the potential impacts of policy
options on:
 Underserved populations and populations
with special needs
 The California economic and business
climate
 The California state budget
USC Partners: Health Care
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School of Policy, Planning, and Development
School of Social Work
School of Dentistry
School of Pharmacy
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Center for Health Policy, Financing and Management
Institute for Prevention Research (School of
Medicine)
Department of Family Medicine (School of Medicine)
USC Partners: Non-health
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Rossier School of Education
Viterbi School of Engineering
Annenberg School for Communication
Lusk Center for Real Estate
The Tomas Rivera Policy Institute (School of
Policy, Planning and Development)
Four Unique Qualities
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Multi-issue
Partnerships across the university
Collect, disseminate, not produce research
Entrepreneurial promotion and delivery of
policy-relevant research
Immediate Next Steps
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Open early November
Form USC-based and other advisory boards
Expand USC partnerships
Consider non-USC relationships
Contact
Walter Zelman, Director
213 740-8022
Zelman@USC. edu