Public Policy Research Associate and Community Organizer

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General roles:

Policy research: Study impact of human rights crisis on the life chances of Berkeley residents. Project long-term outcomes of economic/ecological trends, and develop prudent policy options to positively transform Berkeley and the Bay Area. Work with government staff, academic leaders, non-profits, and policy institutes.

Action research: Interview people affected by human rights abuses. Produce anecdotal testimony illuminating effect of anti-poor legislation and racial profiling. Help develop community plans to advance human rights.

Community organizing: Network with community-based organizations and progressive leaders from local governments and academia. Assist city commissioners to develop integrated, inter-disciplinary solutions to social problems.

Specific priorities for 2024:

I. Participate in a citywide community engagement process, initiated by the Berkeley city council in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, to re-envision public safety and policing for people in Berkeley.

Our participation will include a holistic look at the meaning of both safety and health, diving into the social determinants of health, with urgency driven by both the racial/criminal justice emergency and the Covid-19 pandemic. The explosion of these crises in 2020 revealed massive disparities and injustice both nationally and locally. In this moment we need to develop transformational solutions rather than simply band-aid solutions.

The Commission's enabling statute mandates it to advise City Council and the Board of Education on issues of peace and social justice.

Activities include:

* In-depth analysis of trends in policing and accountability.
* Study of positive initiatives in other jurisdictions.

* Review and critique of proposed programs and technologies by local agencies.
* Networking with regional police reform advocates.

* Address documented stark racial disparities in stops, searches, and use of force.

II. Development of an alternative news source on critical local government policy and political matters, centered in Berkeley.

Community reporters are sought to provide journalist-quality reportage on local events and government processes. The model is not pure opinion but reporting based on a progressive perspective.

Activities include:

* Community reporters who will make an extended commitment to a particular issue or about an elected or appointed legislative body.
* Wordpress developers for web design and development.
* Fund-raising.
* Community organizing to develop writing talent, readership, and funding.

III. Participation in city commissions.

Berkeley residents are needed to serve on the Peace and Justice Commission and other city commissions.

Activities include:

* Attendance at regular evening meetings (for most commissions, a minimum of one monthly, plus subcommittees as appropriate)
* Research on social issues, writing public policy proposals, community consultations, meeting with civic leaders