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Meet Ehsan Zaffar, our new Visiting Fellow on (In)Equality

Published by USC Bedrosian Center on

The United States is more unequal today than at any other time in its history. The economic, social, and political power of most Americans continues to erode, yet policymakers and politicians on both sides of the aisle haven’t addressed the issue.

We, at the Bedrosian Center, are committed to taking a leadership role to combat the corrosive public policy impact of structural inequality through deep thinking, groundbreaking research, innovative private sector partnerships, and in-depth conversations.

It is with this vision in mind that we are honored to welcome aboard Ehsan Zaffar, our new Visiting Fellow.

Zaffar will focus his time with the Bedrosian Center on forward thinking, positive ways to bring economic justice, income equality, social parity, and inclusion & diversity to Los Angeles researchers and practitioners in governance and policy. Zaffar will explore opportunities to bring policies related to equity, power, and inequality to the forefront in research and practice, as well as find ways to amplify and collaborate with those whose already work in this space.

Beginning in January 2020, Zaffar will hold monthly office hours for robust conversation on the important issue of our time. Of office hours, Zaffar says, “Issues around inequality, power and justice will become important in just about every public policy career track over the next decade. I’m excited to share best practices with Price students about how they can think and speak intelligently about these issues – whether its with family and friends or during an employment interview. Plus there’ll be pizza! I look forward to getting to know you better.”

Join Ehsan Zaffar for his first Office Hours, Thursday January 30th at Noon in the Courtyard.

Zaffar brings vast experience and an uncontainable energy to this new position, and we hope students will connect with him as a valuable resource in continuing our mission to uplift communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Born overseas, Zaffar fled war and came to the U.S. as a child refugee. As an undergraduate he pioneered a non-profit mentorship model for young adults. As a young lawyer he started a legal clinic to bring legal care to those who needed it most.

Zaffar advises the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its components on the civil rights and civil liberties implications of existing and proposed policies, programs, and procedures with a focus on potential disparate impact on specific communities and populations.

Zaffar has taught at George Washington, Georgetown, and USC. His most recent book is a broad yet in-depth overview of homeland security: Understanding Homeland Security. He will continue to work with the USC Price Safe Communities Institute, supporting the mission of reaching people with a new understanding of public safety which hinges on education, awareness and research, and community engagement.

The Visiting Fellow on (In)Equality is supported by the Office of the Dean, USC Price.

Bedrosian Center