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School of Public Policy

Solutions for the Region,
Solutions for the World

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Technology vs. Government Series
Technology vs. Government
with Guest Host Lloyd Levine, former California Assemblymember
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Policy Chats 

Policy Chats is the official student-run podcast of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy. Guided by our motto, “Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World,” this podcast features students in conversation with policy professionals, scholars, and leaders to explore the most pressing issues facing our communities today. Launched in March 2020, Policy Chats delivers biweekly 45-minute episodes that make public policy accessible and relevant—one conversation at a time.

A Top-Rated Public Policy Podcast

Over the past five years, and through the dedication of three past hosts, Policy Chats has grown into a leading platform for thoughtful conversations on pressing issues, building a legacy of hard work, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue. Today, Policy Chats is proud to be ranked among the top public policy podcasts in the world, achieving #4 on MillionPodcasts and #4 on Feedspot out of 1000+ podcasts, a milestone that reflects both the commitment of our Dean’s Ambassadors team and the power of student voices in shaping important policy discussions.

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The Craft of Diplomacy: Trust, Negotiation, and U.S. Foreign Policy

In this episode of Policy Chats, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis joins host Dori Pham to discuss his career in diplomacy and key moments in U.S. foreign policy. Drawing on his experience in Cuba and at the United Nations, he explains how trust, emotional intelligence, and negotiation shape diplomatic outcomes.

Recent Episodes

 

When “Nonpartisan” Isn’t Neutral: Police Union Endorsements and City Polarization

In this episode of Policy Chats, Professor Jennifer Gaudette joins host Dori Pham to discuss polarization in local politics and how voters make decisions in nonpartisan elections with limited information. She explains how the absence of party labels and the...
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Closing the Gap: Broadband, eGovernment, and Access to Healthcare

In this episode, Cara Chiaraluce, Santa Clara University Professor of Sociology, talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about the impact of internet access on health outcomes. This is the sixth episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs...
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GovTech Challenges in Urban Transit Systems: A Cybernetics Case Study

In this episode, Noah McClain, Assistant Professor of Sociology talks with the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about security and technology vulnerabilities within New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This is the third episode in our 11-part series, Technology vs...
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