Promoting social change and inspiring the next generation of leaders with research.

The UCI Blum Center for Poverty Alleviation believes in bringing together the expertise and exceptional research abilities found at this world-class university with the passion and energy of the students who form the leaders of tomorrow. We collaborate across disciplines with students, faculty and practitioners to rigorously explore systemic, geopolitical, technological and climate forces affecting poverty.

We’re passionate about our areas of expertise — the science and practice of compassion, the co-production of advanced computational modeling to mitigate flood risk, and the impacts of human trafficking and modern slavery — as well as our global partnerships addressing environmental peacebuilding and planetary health.

Our Work

Compassion Initiative

We inspire the next generation of leaders and engage community stakeholders to use the power of compassion and empathy.

Flood Hazards

We utilize big-data to identify solutions to mitigate flood risk and foster peace and stability in flood-affected communities.

Human Trafficking

Through research about the economic impacts of human trafficking and slavery, we mobilize stakeholders and leaders.

For Students

Opportunities

We offer a range of experiential, curricular and mentorship opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

Global Service Scholars

The Global Service Scholars program offers immersive service opportunities with partner organizations.

Small Change, Better World

Small Change, Better World offers mini-grants to for student-led projects addressing tangible needs.

Latest News & Research

Dr. Sanders on Why Flood Modeling Should Avoid “Bathtub” Models

Dr. Sanders on Why Flood Modeling Should Avoid “Bathtub” Models

In a response to increased and more hazardous flood events in recent years, Dr. Brett Sanders, Blum Center flood risk researcher, and several co-authors published a commentary article in the journal Earth's Future, a publication of the American Geophysical Union, to...

Dr. Robinson on the Big Business of Human Trafficking

Dr. Robinson on the Big Business of Human Trafficking

Dr. Angela Robinson offered insight into the economic drivers of human trafficking in a recent article published by Dr. Kelsey Morgan (UCI | EverFree) for Fast Company , noting that human trafficking is a big business - the second largest and fastest growing illegal...

Reflections on the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference

Reflections on the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference

By Stephanie Martinez, UCI Blum Center PhD student Last month, I had the exciting opportunity to represent the Blum Center at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16). While COPs such as this are at the center of my studies, I’d never had the...

The Power of Music and Youth as Changemakers

The Power of Music and Youth as Changemakers

Recently, the Blum Center was visited by two of our partners on the new Power of Music initiative, award winning filmmakers Michael Uwemedimo of Collaborative Media Advocacy Platform in Nigeria and Petna Ndaliko Katondolo of Yole!Africa in the Democratic Republic of...

Featured Initiative