Public Policy Fellowship Fund

Research That Makes a Difference

The UCLA Department of Public Policy has an impressive roster of distinguished scholars who reflect a wide range of interests in social and international issues, including crime, health, environment, welfare and national security.

Randall Akee, an assistant professor of public policy at UCLA Luskin, has been named a 2014–15 Hellman Fellow for demonstrating great distinction in research for his project “How Do Changes in Unearned Income Affect American Indian Infants and Children? The Case of American Indian Casino Revenue Transfers.”

Akee’s research is helping determine how the advent of casino operations and other large changes in household income of American Indians affects American Indian infants and children. According to Akee, preliminary data has shown that increased incomes have led to a reduction in behavioral disorders and substance abuse for American Indian adolescents. However, there has been no determination into what degree revenue changes have affected infants and younger children. His study will look at the effects of increases in unearned income on maternal behavior as well as educational outcomes for infants and children.

That is just an example of the important research taking place in public policy. But rising costs of education and research can make it difficult or impossible for scholars to tackle the most pressing public policy questions unless they find financial support.

UCLA has a proud tradition of preparing leaders from all parts of society who go on to serve in every part of the world. Your gift to the UCLA Public Policy Fellowship Fund helps ensure that students and faculty can continue to do important research that can solve public challenges in global communities.