UCLA Public Impact Research Awards spotlight professors uplifting communities in L.A., nation

Terence Keel, one of six recipients of UCLA’s 2024 Public Impact Research Awards, said his commitment to social justice and positive change remains unshakable even when progress might not come as quickly as he’d hope. That firm dedication to improving people’s lives and society through research characterizes of all this year’s honorees, whose projects range from protecting the incarcerated and those in police custody to free eviction defense tools for tenantsand support for people with HIV and substance use issues. The annual awards, given by the UCLA Office of Research and Creative Activities, provide a platform to celebrate the efforts of faculty translating research into positive public action that benefits local, national and global communities. An awards ceremony will be scheduled for later in the year.“One of UCLA’s highest priorities is to demonstrate to the community that our research and creative activities have a positive public impact,” said Roger Wakimoto, UCLA’s vice chanc...