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Archived Stories

The Center hosts conferences, workshops, seminars and cultural events, connecting leaders from government, business and civil society to discuss current issues and challenges in Mexico with our academic community.

Additionally, USMEX has one of the largest residential fellowship programs in the U.S. for research on Mexico. Each year we bring together scholars from the social sciences and related fields to engage with our community of students, faculty and the San Diego community.

These stories represent a small portion of the work happening on campus each day.

UC San Diego Mexico Violence Resource Project Goes Beyond Cartels to Study Drug War

UC San Diego Mexico Violence Resource Project Goes Beyond Cartels to Study Drug War

Oct. 14, 2020 | By Christine Clark | UC San Diego News

Project serves as reliable database for organized crime statistics and provides innovative analysis of dynamics of violence on the one-year anniversary of the shootouts in Culiacán, Sinaloa

‘You can always go around the obstacles’

‘You can always go around the obstacles’

Sept. 25, 2020 | By Virginia Watson | GPS News

Despite the ongoing stay-at-home order amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, Rafael Fernández de Castro is broadening the reach of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies

Mexico Opium Network Launched to Combat Global Opioid Epidemic

Mexico Opium Network Launched to Combat Global Opioid Epidemic

June 29, 2020 | By Christine Clark | UC San Diego News

UC San Diego’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies among the key partner institutions for the first-of–its kind, international effort

Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies expands research on drug war and migrant crisis

Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies expands research on drug war and migrant crisis

Oct. 31, 2019 | By Christine Clark | UC San Diego News

With the ever-changing policies and complexities between the U.S. and Mexico, the center will inform the creation, implementation and evaluation of public policy to enhance the lives of citizens in both countries

Research at the border: A living laboratory of transformation

Research at the border: A living laboratory of transformation

Sept. 26, 2019 | By Rachel Hommel | GPS News

A GPS team conducted policy-relevant research across the border at the crux of the U.S.-Mexico immigration debate

New Report Creates Roadmap for U.S.-Mexico Cooperation on Security, Drug and Border Policy

New Report Creates Roadmap for U.S.-Mexico Cooperation on Security, Drug and Border Policy

April 16, 2019 | By Christine Clark, UC San Diego News

UC San Diego white paper recommends establishing a joint taskforce combatting fentanyl, developing binational criminal investigative operations and more

Cali Baja mega-region exports $24.3B worth of goods, services internationally

Cali Baja mega-region exports $24.3B worth of goods, services internationally

July 13, 2018 | By Christine Clark | UC San Diego News

WTC San Diego and Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies report contextualizes binational trade and production in the age of NAFTA

Research renewed at USMEX

Three USMEX Fellows detail how their fellowships are taking their respective research projects to the next level

Jan. 30, 2017 | By Sarah Pfledderer | GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) boasts one of the largest residential fellowship programs in the U.S. for research on Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations. The USMEX Fellows program has received more than 650 scholars from the social sciences, humanities and related fields to form a multidisciplinary group of researchers, 25 of whom comprise the 2016-17 cohort.

Transforming Mexico through Innovation

Mexico Moving Forward travels to Mexico City, highlighting young entrepreneurs and strengthening ties to UC San Diego

Innovation was the focus of this year’s Mexico Moving Forward, a signature event for UC San Diego’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies. For its fifth symposium, the center invited three social entrepreneurs to speak about their work focused on finding solutions to complex social problems and market failures. The efforts they highlighted in education and work force development boost productivity and increase quality of life across Mexico, especially for women and young people.

Educational Needs of 'Students We Share' Go Binational Education Study

University of California Mexico Initiative symposium examines educational experiences of students who attend school on both sides of the border, seeks solutions to improve learning opportunities

The United States and Mexico share hundreds of thousands of students, but their educational needs too often go unmet and their potential is imperiled because of poor communication, bureaucratic challenges, language barriers and inadequate and unequal educational opportunities on both sides of the border, said educational researchers from both countries.

Research presented Sept. 12-13 in Mexico City at “The Students We Share/Los Estudiantes que Compartimos,” a bi-national symposium exploring new research findings on the experiences of students who attend school on both sides of the border, show that more than 400,000 U.S.-born school-age children and their families are currently trying to find their way in Mexican schools.

View the original story here.

USMEX Release Preliminary Findings of Binational Education Study

UC San Diego, Tijuana researchers survey largest sample of students in cross-border region to date

May 19, 2016 | By Anthony King, UC San Diego News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California San Diego released preliminary findings from its groundbreaking cross-border education study, which provides insight into the educational aspirations and professional trajectories of young people in San Diego and Tijuana.

View the original story on the UC San Diego News Center.

Training a new generation of migration researchers close to home

Under guidance from USMEX, the Mexican Migration Field Research Program is examining the impact of migration on the education of youth in San Diego and Tijuana

| By Sarah Pfledderer, GPS News

Juan Trenado has a hard grasp on the ways in which migration can disrupt students’ educational and professional trajectories.

His family—now comprising six sisters, three brothers and his parents—migrated to the U.S. from Mexico in 1991. As his parents’ first child born in this country, he’s seen many members of his extended family struggle with the realities of U.S. immigration laws, including deportation. Read more.

Fellows find research rebooted

Three USMEX Fellows detail how their fellowships have helped take their respective research projects to the next level
Dec. 9, 2015 | By Sarah Pfledderer, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) boasts one of the largest residential fellowship programs in the U.S. for research on Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations. The USMEX Fellows program has received more than 650 scholars from the social sciences, humanities and related fields to form a multidisciplinary cohort of researchers, 20 of whom comprise the 2015-16 cohort.

Here, we asked three current fellows to put in black and white how their residency has helped them round out their research projects. Read more.

Education at Top of Agenda at Mexico Moving Forward Symposium

Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies discussion highlights urgency of education reform, underscoring role of youth in binational relationship
Nov. 5, 2015 | By Anthony King, UC San Diego News

Education reform was a key focus of this year’s Mexico Moving Forward symposium, organized by UC San Diego’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies. The two-day event brought a packed house of academic, political and civil-society leaders to campus Oct. 29 – 30 for talks in part addressing a series of reforms the Mexican government adopted in the last three years. Called “Recapturing the Mexico Moment,” the symposium included experts on some of the most important reforms: energy, security, justice, telecommunications and education.

View the original story on the UC San Diego News Center.

'Recapturing the Mexico Moment'

UC San Diego’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies to host diverse lineup for Mexico Moving Forward symposium
Oct. 20, 2015 | By Anthony King, UC San Diego News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California, San Diego presents a diverse lineup of policy, scholars and community leaders for its annual symposium, Mexico Moving Forward. Called “Recapturing the Mexico Moment,” this year’s all-day event will be held Friday, Oct. 30, culminating in a Dia de los Muertos celebration with decorated altars and a live mariachi band.

View the original story on the UC San Diego News Center.

Frontera Fridays: Ecological restoration and the region's green infrastructure

April 27, 2015 | By Karla M. Yee Amézaga, USMEX News

On April 10, the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) and UC San Diego’s Urban Studies and Planning Program held the second Frontera Fridays, which focused on cross-border efforts of ecological restoration and the region’s green infrastructure.

Frontera Fridays are quarterly mobile events that connect leaders from both sides of the border to UC San Diego and serve as a platform for learning, networking and discussing opportunities and challenges that make our binational region unique. Read more.

'Looking West': US, Mexico, China & the TPP

March 2, 2015 | By Anthony King, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) and Washington-based Center for American Progress (CAP) organized and cohosted a one-day workshop Feb. 18 in Tijuana, Mexico. “Looking West: The Emergence of the Pacific Rim” was the third in a four-part series for CAP designed to generate debate about the U.S. and Mexico’s shared future. Read more.

USMEX hosts top human rights activists from Mexico for two-day conference

Jan. 22, 2015 | By Anthony King, GPS News

One of Mexico’s top human rights activists participated in a robust panel discussion at UC San Diego on violence and human rights, where the conversation centered on the September 2014 disappearance of 43 students in Mexico that has highlighted continued corruption within the government. Read more.

USMEX releases findings from multi-year project on health in Mexico

Dec. 1, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) has undertaken a multi-year project to map health outcomes in Mexico, with a focus on health at the state and municipal level. Launched in 2010 with support from the Hewlett Foundation, the Center’s Atlas of Public Health in Mexico and brand new municipal health scorecards were presented at an open data conference in Mexico City earlier this fall. Read more.

Binational leaders converge at USMEX for Global Diaspora Weeks

Oct. 23, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at UC San Diego played host to an official stop on the International Diaspora Engagement Alliance’s diaspora tour Monday, Oct. 13. The Alliance held 65 events across the world dedicated to diaspora communities and their contributions to global development for Global Diaspora Week, Oct. 12 – 18. Read more.

Denise Ducheny appointed to Obama Administration post

Oct. 10, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

Denise Moreno Ducheny, senior policy advisor at the UC San Diego School of International Relations and Pacific Studies’ Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, will be appointed to a key Obama Administration post, the White House announced Oct. 8. Read more.

A passion for supporting cutting-edge research

Sept. 12, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) has one of the largest residential fellowship programs in the United States for research on Mexico. Each year, the Center supports independent research while offering fellows the opportunity to engage with students, faculty and the San Diego community. Read more.

UC San Diego Extends Global Partnership to University of Tijuana

MOU will cement UC San Diego’s partnership with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexico

Aug. 27, 2014 | By Christine Clark & Sherilyn Reus, UC San Diego News

The University of California, San Diego and the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexico (UABC) have embarked on an initiative to increase collaboration and exchange among students and faculty from both universities. The initiative was formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and UABC President Felipe Cuamea Velazquez.

View the original story on the UC San Diego News Center.

Ducheny honored for increasing binational relationship

July 16, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies Senior Policy Advisor Denise Moreno Ducheny recently received special recognition from the Mexican government, in part for her commitment to the binational region. Ducheny was given the government’s “Premio Ohtli,” the highest honor bestowed on an individual for service to Mexicans living abroad. Read more.

First-of-its-Kind Study Reveals San Diego, Imperial Counties & Baja California Region as Nexus

June 3, 2014 | By Christine Clark, UC San Diego News

Results from a cross-border collaborative research effort studying employment and industries of the San Diego and Imperial counties as well as Baja California –– which together make up the CaliBaja region –– provides evidence of the region’s importance as a hub for manufacturing, with particular strengths in industry sectors like audio and video equipment manufacturing, and medical device and supplies manufacturing.

View the original story on the UC San Diego News Center.

Violence as an Exception

May 8, 2014 | By Eileen Truax, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Los Angeles

Translated by Marcela Alvarez, Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies

A few days ago I was invited to participate in a conference on the state of the press in Mexico and the challenges facing those who collaborate on media in Mexico or cover topics related to it.

The event was organized by the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at UC San Diego. The two-day conference talked about the history of the press in Mexico and about censorship and freedom of expression; a journey was made through the relationship between the media and power, and the bi-nationalism of both the panelists and the audience was notable: academics and journalists from Boston to Culiacan presented and participated in an illuminating debate. Read more.

Conference to look at press freedom in Mexico

April 15, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

Following last month’s hugely successful Mexico Moving Forward symposium, the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies is hosting another daylong conference, “Libertad Bajo Palabra: Censorship, Satire and the Press in Mexico.” Read more.

China, Mexico, US: Deepening partnerships

Jan. 22, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

UC San Diego’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) co-hosted a two-day symposium Thursday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 17, bringing together policy leaders and scholars from three nations poised to make the most changes in the Pacific region. Called “Growth, Trade, Investment and the Future of Manufacturing in China, Mexico and the U.S.,” the symposium was jointly sponsored by IR/PS, Fudan University in China and Tec de Monterrey in Mexico. Read more.

Putting the NAFTA puzzle together

Jan. 16, 2014 | By Anthony King, GPS News

Organizers at UC San Diego’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) are busy scheduling speakers for this year’s Mexico Moving Forward, an event tradition bringing together business leaders, top scholars and policy makers to discuss issues and share information pertinent to Mexico and the global community. Read more.

Moving public health forward

Dec. 13, 2013 | By Anthony King, GPS News

Alberto Díaz-Cayeros, former director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX), returned to the research center Dec. 4 for a presentation on his continuing work surrounding public health in Mexico. The research, co-presented by Melissa Floca, current associate director for the Center, and PhD candidate Micah Gell-Redman, also served as a call for outside scholars to access, interpret and use the data. Read more.

'Prisons in Mexico: What for?'

Nov. 21, 2013 | By Anthony King, GPS News

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) partnered with the Mexico City-based nonprofit México Evalúa to translate a comprehensive report on Mexican prison reform. The report “Prisons in Mexico: What for?” was discussed in detail Wednesday, Nov. 13 at UC San Diego’s Institute of the Americas complex. Read more.

USMEX: A global research & policy player

Nov. 8, 2013 | By Anthony King, GPS News

Building on the groundwork of former director Dr. Alberto Diaz-Cayeros and his predecessors, two prominent members in the national discourse on United States-Mexico relations are working with Dean Peter Cowhey to focus, guide and grow the research portfolio at the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX). Read more.