The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs takes pride in helping to improve society through undergraduate and graduate education in the fields of public policy, social welfare and urban planning. We hope that our research can also help drive transformative action that produces policy solutions for California.

The gathering will feature two panel discussions coordinated by esteemed UCLA Luskin faculty members and their affiliated research centers in collaboration with elected officials, government agencies and other policy experts. Networking opportunities are also planned.

Panel 1 - Can California reduce vehicle miles traveled? Should it?

California has declared that it wants to reduce the total number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across the state. In this session, presenters will discuss strategies and best practices for achieving this complex goal. VMT is accompanied by undeniable costs but also by real benefits — and the benefits may be largest, paradoxically, in places where driving is most common. Thus, the broader goal of making VMT less necessary involves both reducing the amount of space given over to automobiles while also recognizing that, for the immediate future, some increases in driving will be socially desirable.

Panel 2 - How Can California Maximize Investment Benefits for Heat-Resilient Communities?

California is making significant investments and targeted interventions to build resilience to extreme heat, particularly for its most vulnerable communities. To support this goal, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI) conducts research to inform state policies and investments that address extreme heat. LCI researchers and other expert panelists will shed light on why state legislators should care about extreme heat mitigation and management, what the state is doing, and how upcoming investments and additional policies could benefit Californians in direst need of intervention in settings such as schools, homes and public spaces.

A list of speakers and specific details about timing and location will be announced as the date draws closer.

Speaker Bios

2025 UCLA Luskin Sacramento Briefing