UCOP allocates $1 million for diversity initiative
Water UCI has received a $1 million grant from the University of California Office of the President through the Budget Act of 2023 for a new initiative — the Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable and Able Leaders (IDEAL) for Water Program.
“IDEAL’s objective is to enable greater diversity and inclusiveness in one of the state’s most important resource sectors, one that is becoming increasingly threatened by climate change and growing demands,” says David Feldman, director of Water UCI and professor of urban planning and public policy and political science.
The program aims to promote education, training and career placement of underrepresented groups in the state’s water sector.
“We will partner with programs at UCI and selected universities throughout the state, and with water agencies in communities with large concentrations of underrepresented groups,” Feldman says.
“While California policy makers have paid considerable attention to the need for new physical water infrastructure to address water stress, more attention toward the expertise needed – and the personnel required – to run this complex infrastructure is required,” he adds. “Water sector challenges in California do not affect everyone equally: social and economically-disadvantaged regions and underrepresented groups are disproportionately affected by poor and under-maintained infrastructure, water supply deficits caused by drought and climate change, and exposure to hazardous water pollutants.”
Water UCI facilitates collaboration across schools, departments and research centers around questions of fundamental and applied water science, technology, management and policy. It builds on existing campuswide strengths by affording a plan for responding to the many challenges facing water resources.
The funding for the IDEAL grant was championed by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), who is hosting the 2023 Water Policy Forum on campus Nov. 20. The event is free and open to the public. Register online.