Public Policy

Governor Newsom congratulates California Nobel laureates, underscoring the state’s global dominance in science and innovation

October 14, 2025

This announcement originally appeared on the official website for Governor Gavin Newsom on October 13, 2025.


SACRAMENTO – Five California scientists were honored among this year’s Nobel laureates, commemorating their groundbreaking contributions in physics, chemistry, and physiology/medicine. Home to more Nobel laureates than any country in the world aside...

Gov. Newsom visits UC Berkeley to sign bill encouraging quantum innovation

October 4, 2025
Robert Sanders

two men talking in a lab surrounded by young people

Visiting UC Berkeley’s Campbell Hall today, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to create “quantum innovation zones” across the state, positioning the campus as a leader in the race to establish California and the Bay Area as a center of an emerging economy.

The innovation zones will leverage California’s leading edge in quantum computing and research,...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/10/03/gov-newsom-visits-uc-berkeley-to-sign-bill-…

The history of vaccine hesitancy, from smallpox to COVID-19

September 26, 2025
Lila Thulin

Vaccine policy made national headlines last week when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine guidance committee met and scaled back recommendations around the COVID-19 booster and the combined MMRV shot. It’s far from the first time government vaccine policies have sparked heated discussion; since at least the turn of the...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/09/26/the-history-of-vaccine-hesitancy-from-small…

The ultra-rich are different from you and me. Their tax rates are lower.

September 5, 2025
Ed Lempinem

Total effective tax rates for the 400 wealthiest Americans have declined sharply in recent years, and they now pay a smaller percentage of their true income in taxes than the average American, according to new economic research from UC Berkeley.

For that highest cadre of the economic elite — the top 0.0002% — the effective tax rate fell from 30% in 2010–2017 to 23.8% in 2018–2020, says the new research. The wealthy paid lower overall taxes because they were able to shelter more of their business...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/09/04/the-ultra-rich-are-different-from-you-and-m…

For Shaudi Fulp, politics is about tangible outcomes

May 12, 2025
by Alexander Rony

Shaudi Fulp graduated from UC Berkeley in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in legal studies and political psychology, later returning for her master’s in political science. She now helps emerging and mature companies build government affairs teams and strategies across the globe. Even though she lives in Southern California, Fulp is very involved with campus, offering guidance through the Berkeley Social Sciences Dean’s Advisory...

UC Berkeley Economics and Public Policy Prof. Hilary Hoynes discusses her expansive work on California public policy

November 20, 2024
By Jessica Ballardo

Editor’s Note: The work of UC Berkeley Social Sciences faculty helps shape California public policy. In this series, learn more about their research and projects and how they resonate with state policymakers and address solutions to the most pressing issues facing California, from food access to homelessness.

UC Berkeley Economics and Public Policy Professor Hilary Hoynes uses her expertise in child poverty and the social safety net to influence California public policy and develop solutions to the state’s economic issues. ...

UC Berkeley economics professor leads research on policymaking for California’s key issues

December 18, 2024
By Jessica Ballardo

Editor’s Note: The work of UC Berkeley Social Sciences faculty helps shape California public policy. In this series, learn more about their research and projects and how they resonate with state policymakers and address solutions to the most pressing issues facing California, from food access to homelessness.

UC Berkeley Economics and Public Policy Professor Jesse Rothstein, an expert in education policy and the labor market, tackles critical California issues like criminal justice reform and homelessness through his leadership at the California Policy...

Geography professor explores the impact of treating housing as a financial asset on California public policy

February 10, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

Editor's Note: The work of UC Berkeley Social Sciences faculty helps shape California public policy. In this series, learn more about their research and projects and how they resonate with state policymakers and address solutions to the most pressing issues facing California, from food access to homelessness.

UC Berkeley Geography Professor Desiree Fields' research on the financialization of the housing market spans from the 2008 mortgage crisis to today's efforts by tech billionaires to create new cities "from scratch," informing California policymakers on topics such as...

History professor explores how California’s past shaped its current-day public policy issues

March 17, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

Editor's Note: The work of UC Berkeley Social Sciences faculty helps shape California public policy. In this series, learn more about their research and projects and how they resonate with state policymakers and address solutions to the most pressing issues facing California, from food access to homelessness.

UC Berkeley History and American Studies Professor Mark Brilliant's research examines the historical context of California's most pressing public policy concerns, including housing, affirmative action and income inequality, tracing them as far back as World War II and...

Political Science professor’s smart city research informs California public policy decisions

January 16, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

Editor’s Note: The work of UC Berkeley Social Sciences faculty helps shape California public policy. In this series, learn more about their research and projects and how they resonate with state policymakers and address solutions to the most pressing issues facing California, from food access to homelessness.

UC Berkeley Political Science and Global Metropolitan Studies Professor Alison Post uses her expertise on urban politics and policy to conduct research that highlights the importance of reducing barriers for small California public agencies...