Who We Are
Michael Storper
Director, Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin ~ Faculty Cluster Leader, Global Processes and Institutions ~ Professor of Urban Planning
Professor Michael Storper’s research and teaching interests fall into five, closely linked, areas: Economic geography, meaning the forces that affect the ways the economy organizes itself in geographical space. These forces are many and sundry, ranging from technology, industry structure and market structure, to institutions, effects of history, and policies. A core problem for me is the long-standing tension between the geographical concentration of activity and specialization of regional and national economies and the spreading out of activity into wider geographical spaces, both of which are occurring in the current wave of globalization. Globalization, meaning the ever-increasing geographical scale of economic processes, and some of the associated processes of change in the scale at which management of firms, markets, and institutions operate.
“When I think of global public affairs, an image comes to mind. It is of Spanish ships sailing into Manila harbor in the 1580s, where they meet the merchant boats from Fujian in China. Why this image? What the Spanish most wanted was access to Chinese luxury goods. They had stumbled across the New World looking for a maritime route to Asia. Then they stumbled on silver in Bolivia, which they figured they could use to pay for Chinese goods. The Emperor of China didn’t want more Europeans on Chinese soil, so Manila was the key trading post that knitted together this globe-spanning system of trade, conquest, exploitation, city-building, transport, and inter-culturality. It replaced the thousand-year old global trade highway, the Silk Road. We are living through breathtaking new global interactions today. They create risks, opportunities and potential tragedies, just like previous ones. Global public affairs is about learning how to understand and thereby become constructive, socially-conscious actors so as to better shape these processes." — Michael Storper
Stephen Commins
Associate Director, Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin ~ Director, International Practice Pathway ~ Faculty Cluster Leader, Global Environment and Resources ~ Lecturer in Urban Planning
Stephen Commins works in areas of regional and international development, with an emphasis on service delivery and governance in fragile states. Currently, he is Strategy Manager, Fragile States, International Medical Corps, and coordinator for the Health and Fragile States Network. His recent work has included “testing the DFID state building” framework in Lao PDR and Cambodia, managing studies on disasters and safety nets for the World Bank in Bangladesh, a co-authored paper on participation, accountability and decentralization in Africa, and producing studies on health systems strengthening in fragile states for World Vision Canada and on sub-national fragility in India and Pakistan for the HLSP Institute. He is currently working on a long term study of livelihoods and post-conflict reconstruction in Pakistan, and the ‘new deal’ on aid for fragile and conflict affected states.
"Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin strikes a balance between the ‘what’ of global issues through rigorous academic preparation and the ‘how’ of professional practice through fieldwork opportunities and mentoring." — Stephen Commins
Cristy Portlock
Events Program Manager, MURP ’26
“Global Public Affairs is about gaining better understandings of the way public affairs opportunities and research presents itself on an international level. It’s about creating connections which span geographic barriers in recognizing the interconnected responsibility we all have to one another and the earth on a global scale.”
Former Deans and Supporters of GPA
Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.
GPA Founding Dean, Former Dean of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science
"Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin represents a strategic investment in scholarship, teaching, and engagement that responds to the dynamic forces of globalization. In turn, this requires public and not-for-profit decision makers to think differently about the allocation of public goods and services. Bringing together the best thinkers and practitioners, Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin seeks to build a robust curriculum for our students, an exciting and multidisciplinary research agenda for our faculty, and create a framework for developing the best practices."
Lois Takahashi
Interim Dean of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Professor of Urban Planning
"Global Public Affairs is an invaluable addition to UCLA Luskin, offering a multidisciplinary approach to public policy. This certificate program allows students to take courses from across the curriculum, drawing on faculty from 11 departments at UCLA. In an increasingly globalized world, there is no better time to apply research and scholarship to hands-on experience in international environments. Global Public Affairs at UCLA Luskin offers both these components to advance student learning and prepare graduates for a successful career in public affairs, whether it be abroad or in the U.S."
Former GPA Associates
Jenny Yu
MURP ’16
“Global public affairs are increasingly local. The issues abroad are having an impact on our livelihoods at home. Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin provides a forum for students and scholars to engage in dialogues about these critical global public affairs issues.”
Rosana Carranza
MURP ’16
"Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin provides intellectual and professional preparation in some of the most pressing issues of our day, including migration, health, and the economy. Luskin students who want to think about these issues through a global lens are welcome to pursue our certificate program-- we look forward to working with you."
Brittany Woods
MSW ’17
"As a social welfare student, GPA means addressing social welfare issues from a global perspective and taking the initiative to advocate for social justice at the international level."
Reid Meadows
MPP ’17
"In an increasingly globalized world with few barriers to communication, students must have an international perspective in their education if they are to become thoughtful public leaders. The Global Public Affairs program at UCLA is accomplishing exactly that goal by exposing students to the many issues we see across the world and challenging them to search for solutions."
Christina Callegari
MSW ’18
"At UCLA Luskin, we as students, leaders, and change agents, have the incredible opportunity to learn about the world around us in order to bring about change in our communities. GPA@UCLA Luskin, seeks to incorporate a global perspective into our practice as developing professionals. Thus, equipping us to lead in an ever-connected world."
Angela Jeong
MSW ’18
"GPA@Luskin provides a widened knowledge, experience, and perspective for Luskin students who are encouraged to become local and world leaders."
Ramandeep Kaur
MPP ’18
Global Public Affairs
Nikki Lewis
MPP and MSW ’19 Dual Degree
"The opportunities provided by Global Public Affairs @ Luskin affords students the chance to use immersive experiences, lectures by and conversations with practitioners, and a variety of cross-sector courses to connect what is learned in the classroom to their futures in the wok force."
Ankhet Holmes
MPP ’19
"Global Public Affairs @ Luskin brings the world to its students through academic course offerings, career talks, practical lectures, and scholarships to work abroad. GPA enables us to learn about the far reaching implications of the lives we lead. It is then up to us to choose how we’ll make change at the local or global level, knowing the two are intertwined."
Samuel Stalls
MPP ’19
"Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin gives students the opportunity to deepen our engagement with world issues through events, classes, trips and funding for internships. This allows us to see how events in California both influence global trends and are influenced by those trends."
Dan Flynn
Communications and Alumni Relations Manager, MPP ’21 Candidate
"Global Public Affairs is the best way for students at Luskin to get outside of the Los Angeles bubble and begin to grapple with policy challenges of the international system. GPA fellowships and travel grant students exposure to a wealth of opportunities across the country and internationally."
Madeleine Sims
Curriculum Project Manager, MURP ’20 Candidate
"Global Public Affairs @ Luskin provides students with opportunities to engage with the world through diverse course offerings, engaging lectures, and sponsorship for field work. These opportunities allow students to deepen their understanding of world issues and the place their work can have in implementing change."
Charlotte Fagan
Events Program Manager, MURP and MBA ’21 Dual Degree Candidate
"Global Public Affairs @ UCLA Luskin connects academics and professional development to instill in students a lifelong sense of curiosity and engagement with the world. GPA shows how the boundaries between local and global are constantly contested in our globalized world."
Mary Nguyen
Events Program Manager, MSW and MPP ’22 Dual Degree Candidate
"Being a part of Luskin means being a part of the tidal wave of change, bringing people of all different backgrounds and upbringing together. It is an opportunity to work collaboratively with others who share similar visions of fighting for social justice and equity."
Casey Leedom
Curriculum Project Manager, MURP ’20 Candidate
"Global Public Affairs at UCLA gives students the opportunity to engage with new perspectives and better understand the policies and processes that govern our interconnected world. Through curriculum, networking, and real-world experience, GPA helps students to draw connections between local and global change-making efforts and gives students the tools to effectively engage in this work throughout their careers."
Mason Parker
Communications and Alumni Relations Manager, MPP ’21 Candidate
"Global Public Affairs is the best way for students at Luskin to get outside of the Los Angeles bubble and begin to grapple with policy challenges of the international system. GPA fellowships and travel grant students exposure to a wealth of opportunities across the country and internationally."
Joshua Claxton
Events Program Manager, MURP ’24 Dual Degree Candidate
“Global Public Affairs is about creating opportunities to engage in work and with communities beyond one’s own, as always, in an effort to advance collective well being. Interdependent and mutually beneficial relationships are the strongest bonds in nature. The power and beauty of connecting across geographies is critical to building a truly liberated future.”
Stephany Calvillo
Communications and Alumni Relations Manager, MURP ’23 Candidate
"As a Bachelors in Geography alum, I highly recommend Global Public Affairs as an avenue for Graduate students at UCLA to explore lessons, opportunities, and experiences beyond their immediate bubble!"
Abigail Koshollek
Curriculum Project Manager, MURP ’23 Candidate
"Global Public Affairs is an incredible opportunity for Luskin students to bring a systems level international approach to their domestic studies. Los Angeles is a city of migrants and now more than ever is this intercultural context needed when implementing policy solutions in our region."
