The UCR School of Public Policy faculty are more than just scholars — they are also innovative leaders in their respective policy fields who are dedicated to research. As such, several of our faculty have been awarded and recognized by prestigious organizations. The most recent award recipients include the following faculty members:
APPAM World Citizen Prize in Environmental Performance (2026)
Award recipient: Mehdi Nemati
This award, given by the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM), recognizes research that assesses pathways to achieve measurable but as-yet unrealized gains in overall environmental performance, in particular to reduce consumption and waste. The research may be based on the United States or other countries.
APSA Clarence Stone Award and UC Regents Faculty Fellowship Award (2026)
Award recipient: Jennifer Gaudette
The Clarence Stone Award is given to a young scholar who is making a significant contribution to the study of urban politics. The UC Regents Faculty Fellowship is designed to provide selected junior faculty an opportunity for educational enrichment through significant research, advanced or independent study, or improvement of teaching effectiveness.
Learn more about the Clarence Stone Award
Early Career Faculty Research Excellence Award (2026)
Award recipient: Wei Kang
Awarded by the UC Office of the President, this award advances the University’s enduring commitment to the scholarship and creative activity of early career faculty across the ten campuses of the University of California.
Faculty Research Lecturer (2026-2027)
Award recipient: Bruce Link
This award is the highest honor bestowed to faculty by the UC Riverside Academic Senate. As the winner of the annual award, Dr. Link will deliver a lecture in 2027.
The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Science, Technology and Innovation (2023-2024)
Award recipient: Kurt Schwabe
Awards in the Fulbright Distinguished Chairs Program are viewed as among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Fulbright scholars engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying groundwork for future partnerships between institutions.
Best Scientists for 2023
Award recipient: Ariel Dinar
Distinguished Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy Ariel Dinar is among the Top 500 Best Scientists for 2023 in the field of Economics and Finance based on an analysis of the citations of Professor Dinar's scholarly work by Research.com.
Chuck ReVelle Rising Star Award (2021)
Award recipient: Ran Wei
The Chuck ReVelle Rising Star Award is a biannual honor awarded to a scholar within eight years of receiving their Ph.D. who has made a significant contribution to location analysis research and displays the potential to continue to do so. This is a high honor award within the locational analysis community.