About Our Institute
Get involved with research, policy, advocacy, events, and more!
The Bruin Policy Institute is a student-run policy think tank focused on researching and advocating progressive policy ideas. The UCLA chapter emerged from a national network of leaders actively working within college campuses and communities to make sure that the voices and ideas of students are heard. We offer a community for members to research, advocate, and discuss policy ideas that improve access to public goods at the campus, local, state, and federal levels. Our members complete policy projects on human rights, democratic access, health, economy, environment, education, and more!
Our members attend weekly meetings to learn more about policy-making and how to create meaningful social change. They choose issues they are interested in and work in teams to create policy memos, op-eds, and research to advocate for their cause. They have the opportunity to publish their work in the year-end journal and can participate in lobbying trips offered throughout the year. The Bruin Policy Institute also has exciting programming throughout the year in terms of debates, workshops, and panel discussions.
Meet the Board
2023-2024
Anoushka Kathiravan
President
Major: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics & Global Studies
What does the President do?: Leads board and general meetings, sets the agenda, and works with all members to boost morale and keep working towards our mission!
Why Roosevelt?: Roosevelt is an extremely important organization on campus that not only gives students the opportunity to think and converse among peers about various social issues but also prepares them to take on an active role in advocating for that change. I knew that this club had so much to offer and I wanted to do everything I could to broadcast its message. I find such fulfillment in knowing that we as a team are creating real changes in the way our community looks.
Favorite part of Roosevelt? The connections the club fosters with peers! I've been able to form such deep and thoughtful friendships as part of the club and I'm so excited to work with my fellow students on more ideas we are passionate about!
My-Lan Le
Vice President
Major: Political Science & Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
What does the Vice President do?: Creates the weekly meeting agendas and manages the financial needs of the organization. My-Lan works with the President to actualize the big picture ideas and plan out the day-to-day operations. The VP overlooks other director's project ideas and events in terms of logistics and funding if need be.
Why Roosevelt?: Roosevelt was an organization that really stands out amongst other policy-based organizations because the work that we do is very hands-on and broad with members researching and writing policy memos about a variety of topics that interested them. It was different from many other organizations because it was more interactive and a great way to get experience with researching issues within your community and drafting solutions.
Favorite part of Roosevelt: The passionate individuals that I am able to work with and learn from within the organization!
Luis Muñoz
Internal Policy Director
Major: Economics and Political Science
What does the Policy Director Do?: Manage the journal and policy memos.
Why BPI? I joined because I wanted to find a space on campus where I could practice policy writing in order to develop the critical thinking process required to become a policy maker in the future. I chose to join the board to help the club continue spreading this opportunity to other students and future generations and also to learn how to lead the policy discussions we hold within the club.
Favorite part of BPI? The long discussions we held when writing our policy memo where we didn't really know what to do or where to start but where we eventually arrived at a consensus on the matter.
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Gratia O'Rafferty
External Director of Policy
Major: Public Affairs
What does the External Director of Policy do?: Helps groups plan and execute writing their policy memos, ultimately publishing their memos in our journal and providing opportunities to advocate for them. The EDP also works with other organizations and community members to connect members to professionals in their fields of interest.
Why BPI?: I joined BPI because I wanted to collaborate with other people who are passionate about innovative policy, especially policies that pertain to our community both at UCLA and in the greater LA area. I joined the board to help other students feel connected to meaningful policy work, through both writing memos and having the opportunity to advocate for them.
Favorite part of BPI: Working with people in my group that have similar interests!
Suraj Kulkarni
External Director of Communications
Major: Psychobiology
What does External Director of Communications do? Collaborates with and manages partnerships, events, programs, and initiatives with other organizations, nonprofits, and chapters.
Why BPI? Being the largest policy-related think tank at UCLA, I knew that BPI was an excellent way for me to construct and collaborate on innovative initiatives and policy memos that could lead to an impact, and I was compelled to join the Executive Board!
Favorite part of BPI? Healthcare-related Policy Memos!
Vishwa Diwan
Internal Director of Fellowship
Major: Political Science
What does the Internal Director of Fellowship do? Generates community and fellowship within the club. Aside from supporting other board members in whatever we are currently working on as a club.
Why BPI? I joined because I was really interested in policy writing and the general idea of political activism and social justice.
Favorite part of BPI? I love being able to talk to such a diverse group of people with very different policy interests--it allows me to learn so much more outside of my own interests and broaden my expertise in the field of politics.
Sunny Xiao
Director of Funding
Major: Human Biology and Society
What does the Director of Funding do? Apply for funding through UCLA, organize fundraisers and events throughout the school year and help allocate funds for various events and retreats!
Why BPI? I joined BPI because policy is something I'm interested in, yet was not involved in throughout high school. I really wanted to push myself to explore more interests in college.
Favorite part of BPI? The environment is really great! I'm able to work with so many hardworking people with diverse interests across different fields.
Payton Fitzpatrick
External Director of Fellowship
Major: Public Affairs
What does the External Director of Fellowship do? Organize events with other organization on campus, coordinate lobbying events, and promote engagement between club members and the UCLA community!
Why BPI? I joined Bruin Policy Institute to engage in discussions about pressing societal issues, hoping to develop a deeper understanding of policy-making processes and contribute to meaningful solutions. Additionally, I saw it as an opportunity to connect with like-minded peers who share my passion for creating positive change through informed policy decisions.
Favorite part of BPI? My favorite part about BPI is getting to work alongside people who share a similar passion for creating change!
