UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy

GPS Proud!

UC San Diego Health No. 1 in California, Makes National Honor Roll UC San Diego Health has been ranked the top health system in California according to the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" survey.

UC San Diego sponsored research reached nearly $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2026, driving major innovations across healthcare, environmental science, and public policy.

Among these key initiatives is the newly launched Center for Transparent and Trusted Elections co-directed by GPS Associate Professor Lauren Prather.

Backed by a $2.5 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trust’s Election Trust Initiative, the nonpartisan center collaborates with election administrators nationwide to test, refine and share strategies that build lasting trust across the political spectrum.

Read more about how UC San Diego researchers are tackling major national challenges:

UC San Diego’s FY26 Awards Reflect Larger Grants in a More Competitive Landscape University of California San Diego’s fiscal year 2026 awards totaled nearly $1.8 billion. Though the tally represents one of the university’s highest sponsored research totals, it reflects both momentum and caution in the research funding landscape.

Mexico is demanding answers after 17 Mexican nationals died in ICE custody or during enforcement actions since May 2025. Ambassadorial complaints, diplomatic outreach, and a UN request mark a sweeping response to these tragedies.

Professor Rafael Fernández de Castro weighs in, explaining the effects on the Mexican public and that President Sheinbaum faces political pressure to act while walking a fine line: exerting enough pressure without creating animosity with the U.S. government.

Read more here:

Mexico presses U.S. prosecutors on deaths in ICE custody, enforcement The Mexican government said Wednesday it’s taken several steps in response to the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals in ICE custody or during enforcement operations since May 2025.

Thinking about moving for better pay? Not all cities boost your earnings the same way. New research led by Professor Gaurav Khanna analyzes data from 500 million+ professionals to reveal which cities truly elevate your salary.

Read more here:

Where should you move for higher pay? Some cities merely attract the well remunerated. Others will lift your wages

Dean Caroline Freund weighs in on the Trump administration’s new tariffs. While the administration cites forced labor concerns, Freund tells the BBC the real motive is to protect U.S. manufacturing and address the trade deficit.

Listen here:

BBC Audio | Today | 24/07/2026 News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.

For Meghan Hester (MPP '27), being the Public Health and Prevention Intern at the California To***co Endgame Center—a project of the American Heart Association—means making a difference statewide. Supporting California Department of Public Health grant-funded agencies, Meghan helps boost to***co prevention and cessation services by planning and facilitating technical training, like the recent Communities of Excellence (CX) session, a nonprofit framework for community impact.

💬 “As my first internship in the nonprofit sector, this internship has helped prepare me for my future career aspirations by exposing me to new organizational systems, different outreach techniques, and giving me the space to struggle and regroup, leading to my overall professional growth. My favorite part of this internship has been my policy tracking project, where I am now up to a 90% response rate!”

We love seeing our students apply classroom theory to real-world impact—especially in the nonprofit sector!

Congratulations to Gordon McCord for receiving the Rafael and Marina Pastor Chancellor's Endowed GPS Faculty Fellowship! 🎉

Over the next three years, this fellowship will support Prof. McCord's teaching as well as to conduct policy-relevant research shaping peace and prosperity in the 21st Century.

Discover his research underway today: gps.ucsd.edu/gmccord

As the 2025-2026 academic year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the academic highlights from the 21st Century India Center. Discover more about the U.S.-India forum, how the center sparked dialogue, brought together policy practitioners and diplomats, invested in the next generation, and its research.

Read the highlights:https://india.ucsd.edu/_files/21cic_2025-26-annual-highlights.pdf

Is it good to limit Federal Reserve rate guidance?

Dean Caroline Freund breaks down why transparency matters, but also why too much forward guidance can be a double-edged sword. Discover her insights on how guidance shapes policy, especially when interest rates are near zero. Curious to learn more? Read the full story:

Is it a good idea to limit Federal Reserve rate guidance? The Fed should aim for a balance between a clear policy framework and avoiding overly detailed forward guidance, one panelist says.

Do you believe you would be a good manager?

Research shows that those who are more eager to manage often perform the worst. Co-author GPS Professor Achyuta Adhvaryu also explains how overconfidence can be a liability.

Read more here:

Research shows those most eager to manage often perform the worst Researchers from Harvard and UC San Diego debunk a common leadership myth by revealing the best managers are often the ones who don't want the job.