As part of her Chang Prize project on Sustainable Science Policy, Ariel Hasse-Zamudio (BS ’20) has made significant progress advancing renewable energy coalition-building efforts across Alaska. Over the summer, she focused on developing strategic relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Independent Power Producers, conservation groups, renewable energy advocates, community-based organizations, utility boards, and key policy leaders. Through executive interviews and consultations, she gained a comprehensive understanding of Alaska’s complex energy landscape.

Ariel has also launched borough-specific data collection efforts to assess local energy needs and priorities, ensuring the findings are both community-informed and relevant statewide. This data will inform targeted interventions and collaborative renewable energy initiatives. She is currently compiling a comprehensive report integrating these findings for broad dissemination.

Looking ahead, Ariel aims to use the data to strengthen coalitions advocating for renewable energy resources, amplify AEI’s mission through media and direct outreach, and coordinate with influential partners, including Alaska Native Corporations such as Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation and Sealaska. With relationships established across grassroots networks and legislative leaders, she is positioning the initiative to transition from research to coordinated policy action in the upcoming legislative session.

As part of his Chang Prize project focused on social justice for foster youth, Vishagan Ratnaswamy (PhD ’19) has built partnerships with grassroots and school-based organizations serving marginalized youth in the San Francisco area. He is collaborating with Lavender Phoenix, a community organization supporting queer, nonbinary, and trans individuals, to better understand policy gaps affecting LGBTQIA+ foster youth. Through workshops, data analysis, and feedback on research whitepapers, he is examining deficiencies in local, state, and federal policies impacting this population.

Vishagan is also working closely with the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) within the San Francisco Unified School District. He has met with staff to learn about their infrastructure, funding challenges, and data practices, and is analyzing their research to develop policy recommendations. Chang Prize funding is helping sustain an academic support initiative for foster youth through this collaboration.

In addition, he is pursuing partnership with My Other Brother (MYOB), which serves Black youth affected by educational inequities, to explore policies addressing anti-Blackness, homelessness, and foster care. His next steps include drafting and refining policy whitepapers and deepening partnerships to advocate for systemic change.