by Sara Grossman
More than 150 UC Berkeley faculty, staff, students and engaged community partners gathered at the Campanile Esplanade on Monday to learn about the activities of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society and to celebrate its achievements over the past two years. The event, Research to Impact, showcased the work of the Institute’s seven faculty and teaching clusters, as well as the efforts of the Institute’s own research staff.
The event, emceed by Haas Institute administrative officer Veronica Hash, served as a coming out of sorts for the institute, which was founded less than three years ago with the goal of bringing together researchers, policymakers, organizers, and others to foster an inclusive, just, and sustainable society.
“We understand that knowledge by itself will not produce transformation,” Haas Institute director john a. powell told the audience, illustrating one of the Institute’s key guiding principles.
The informative and interactive event featured a panel discussion, moderated by powell, where the chairs and members of various clusters discussed their contributions to the Haas Institute’s vision for a fair and inclusive society.
The Institute’s clusters include: Disability Studies, Diversity & Democracy, Diversity & Health Disparities, Economic Disparities, LGBTQ Citizenship, Race, Diversity & Educational Policy, Religious Diversity.
VIDEO: RESEARCH TO IMPACT
The event commenced with a speech from UC Berkeley chancellor Nicholas B. Dirks, who spoke about the importance of the Haas Institute’s efforts to translate Berkeley research from various fields into implementable policy recommendations that ordinary citizens can understand. Although the Institute began under the leadership of former chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau, Dirks pledged to support the Haas Institute’s efforts to ensure that the public university lives up to its rhetoric.
The audience then had the opportunity to watch a brief video highlighting the guiding vision and goals for the institute, followed by a question and answer session where cluster members offered insight into their work and contributions to Haas Institute.
Economics professor Hilary Hoynes, chair of the Economic Disparities cluster, discussed her recent trip to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress about rising inequality as well as to present a new Haas Institute policy briefing that aggregated the work of various Berkeley economists.
Members from other clusters addressed questions about how the Institute is engaging with local communities as well as how their research is translated into teaching.
The event concluded with a mixer where members of the community mingled with cluster members and leaders.
Video by Skylar Economy.
Update: This article was updated to include video.
