About

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

The UCI Blum Center’s mission is to promote social change and inspire the next generation of leaders to action with research on poverty alleviation. By collaborating across disciplines with students, faculty and practitioners, the UCI Blum Center rigorously explores systemic, geopolitical, technological and climate forces affecting poverty. The UCI Blum Center’s innovative education programs, basic and applied research, and work in community development and policy-making engage future leaders to reduce the risks of poverty for vulnerable populations and improve humanity and its institutions. The Blum Center at University of California Irvine focuses its work around 3 key division areas: 1. Flood Hazards, 2. Human Trafficking and 3. Science & Practice of Compassion with partnerships in Environmental Peacemaking, Technology Innovation for Humanitarian Action and policy making in Washington D.C.

The UC Blum Center is a network of interdisciplinary research initiatives across University of California’s 10 leading public university campuses working to solve the global challenge of poverty. The Blum Center was first established at UC Berkeley in 2006 as the UC Blum Center for Developing Economies. The accessibility of the UC-wide Blum Center’s public research aims to educate and engage a diverse group of tomorrow’s leaders to become conscious change agents and lead fact-based solutions to poverty alleviation. The Blum Center at UC Irvine launched their poverty alleviation research to coincide with the campus’ 50th anniversary in 2014.

Read a one-page overview of the Blum Center’s research initiatives.

For Students

At the UCI Blum Center for Poverty Alleviation, we offer a range of experiential and educational opportunities including immersive international service programs, funding for student-led community projects, and innovative online courses.

People

Jointly housed by the Office of The Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and the School of Social Ecology, the UCI Blum Center for Poverty Alleviation brings together students, staff, faculty and practitioners from across disciplines.

Our Work & Impact

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.