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
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. Kelsey Morgan Honored at Lauds & Laurels
Dr. Kelsey Morgan, UCI Blum Center's anti-human trafficking and survivor support expert (and CEO of EverFree), was honored last week as a Distinguished Alumni from the School of Social Ecology! The award recognizes Dr. Morgan's longstanding and passionate commitment...
In the News: Dr. Robinson Speaks of Human Trafficking Research on Podcast
Dr. Angela Robinson was recently a guest on an episode of Orion Talks, a podcast hosted by the Orion Policy Institute, to share her research on human trafficking. Dr. Robinson spoke about the participatory research methods used in the Blum Center anti trafficking work...
In the News: CNN Highlights Freedom Lifemap
The Freedom Lifemap, co-created by Dr. Kelsey Morgan (Everfree; Blum Center) and Dr. Angela Robinson (Blum Center), was featured as a segment on CNN's Freedom Project. In the video, Dr. Morgan talks about the need that the Freedom Lifemap fills for survivors of...
“Post-Conflict Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development” – Director Matthew Co-Authors Chapter in New UNEP Report on Digital Technology in Environmental Peacebuilding Efforts
Last week, the UN Environmental Programme and the Environmental Peacebuilding Association released their latest technical report, "Digital Technologies for Environmental Peacebuilding: Horizon scanning of opportunities & risks" which aims to better understand and...
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...
Support that is Music to our Ears: $1.5million from The Drake Gives
We are thrilled and grateful to officially announce a new addition to our growing network of dedicated supporters! The Drake Gives, founded by Alec Glasser, donated $1.5 Million which will be used to support a new collaborative imitative: The Power of Music. Blum...
Compassion Initiative
We inspire the next generation of leaders and engage community stakeholders to use the power of compassion and empathy.