USC Mexico scholar-in-residence program unveiled
The residency will be based at the USC Price School’s Sacramento program; the first will focus on energy policy
USC and a partner institution in Mexico will create an annual scholar-in-residence program for a Mexican scholar in Sacramento with the USC Price School of Public Policy.
The agreement, announced on March 16 by the university and COMEXUS, is the first of its type and will allow a leading researcher from Mexico to focus on themes that are critical to both the U.S. and Mexico. Energy and bi-national relations will be the initial focus.
The program was announced by USC Provost Michael Quick and Executive Director Hazel Blackmore of COMEXUS, the Comisión México-Estados Unidos para el Intercambio Educativo y Cultural (U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange).
Important relationship
The collaboration agreement emphasized the importance of the California-Mexico relationship and the urgency of addressing bi-national energy policy coordination.
Historic reforms in the area of energy policy by the government of Mexico and the state of California have created an extraordinary opportunity to explore cross-border collaboration.
Jack Knott
“Historic reforms in the area of energy policy by the government of Mexico and the state of California have created an extraordinary opportunity to explore cross-border collaboration, particularly in the area of renewable energy sources, and strengthen our partnership and global leadership in this area,” said Jack Knott, dean of the USC Price School.
Each year a leading Mexican academic will conduct a four-month residency with the USC Price School in the California state capital, undertaking research and organizing policy forums on U.S.-Mexico relations for policymakers and students in both Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Academic collaboration
“COMEXUS is the premier institution for U.S.-Mexico academic collaboration, and we are very excited they have chosen the USC Price School of Public Policy as the first partner in the new Mexico Studies Scholar in Residence program,” said Anthony Bailey, USC vice president for strategic and global initiatives.
Blackmore added: “Along with the multiple and longstanding collaborations with the University of Southern California, COMEXUS is proud to establish this innovative Mexico scholar-in-residence program with an emphasis on energy, because it is a high priority for both countries.”
Candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest, academic CV, and three letters of reference to COMEXUS by May 16. Finalists will be interviewed by a bi-national committee by the end of May, and the selected candidate will begin their residency in the spring.