2021
Anita Hill on her mission to end gender violence and harassment
Heller in the News
December 30, 2021
Anita Hill is quoted in KUOW saying that in order to find victim-centered solutions to gender-based violence, we will need to address racism, including the vestiges of colonialism and slavery, along with homophobia, misogyny and gender bias.
The Grimmest Milestone that America Ignored this Year
Heller in the News
December 29, 2021
In The New Republic, Dr. Andrew Kolodny is quoted speaking on how overdose deaths have surged during the pandemic.
The Visionary Activist Show – Cats Christmas, Between the Worlds
Heller in the News
December 23, 2021
On KPFA, Apela Colorado, PhD'82, talks about her book, “Woman Between the Worlds,” and the collaborative harmony between science and Indigenous guiding wisdom.
Fentanyl Overdoses Have Gotten Deadlier During the Pandemic
Heller in the News
December 22, 2021
Dr. Andrew Kolodny is quoted in Paper Magazine saying that low-income populations have been hit especially hard by fentanyl during the pandemic.
Race and finance: the student loan trap
Heller in the News
December 21, 2021
In the Financial Times, research from the Institute of Economic and Racial Equity is cited to illustrate how Black student loan borrowers still owe almost all of their debt 20 years after starting college.
How I Travel: Anita Hill Packs a Tape Recorder to Capture City Sounds
Heller in the News
December 17, 2021
In Conde Nast Traveler, Anita Hill shares her vacation priorities and some of her favorite trips.
Banner Month: Heller receives $11M in grant funding for disparities-related research in September 2021
Heller News Release
December 16, 2021
In September 2021, three Heller research institutes were awarded multimillion-dollar grants that, taken together, totaled nearly $11 million in new funding — a record for the school in such a brief time frame.
RIZE Massachusetts Unveils Nearly $350,000 In Grants To Improve State’s Behavioral Health Workforce Ecosystem
Heller in the News
December 16, 2021
Researchers Karen Donelan, Traci Green and Laura Michelson have received an award from RIZE, a foundation working to end the opioid epidemic in Mass., to conduct research into the state's harm reduction workforce.
Fentanyl and COVID-19 May Have Made the Opioid Epidemic Even Deadlier
Heller in the News
December 16, 2021
In TIME, Andrew Kolodny is quoted speaking about how fentanyl has spread across the U.S. and how opioid overdose deaths have increased in the last two decades.
Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld joins NASEM committee on Gulf oil spill recovery
Heller News Release
December 15, 2021
This committee is part of the $500 million settlement following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill, which is administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM).
Sam Hyun is tireless in amplifying long silenced AAPI voices
Heller in the News
December 15, 2021
Sam Hyun, MPP/MBA'22, is the chairperson of the Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission. The Boston Globe features Hyun and his work as a tireless advocate for the AAPI community, speaking out against rising anti-Asian xenophobia and violence amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Fact Check: Student Loan Forgiveness Will Increase The Black-White Wealth Gap
Heller in the News
December 15, 2021
An article in Moguldom on student loans and the wealth gap between Black and white graduates references research from Heller's Institute for Economic and Racial Equity.
By allowing work to be done externally, broadband technology has increased outsourcing
Heller in the News
December 13, 2021
In LSE Business Review, David Weil's book "The Fissured Workplace" is mentioned when describing the fragmentation of the organization of firm production, resulting from a growing reliance on outsourcing.
As stimulant use and deaths increase, Mass. launches commission to find solutions
Heller in the News
December 09, 2021
In WBUR, Traci Green explains that opioid-related overdose deaths often involve stimulants.
‘Alarming’ Restart Of Student Loans May Cost You $85 Billion
Heller in the News
December 08, 2021
In Forbes, Senate Democrats cited research by the the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity in a letter urging President Biden to take action regarding student loan cancellation and the resumption of debt payments.
New Research Q&A: Increased Access to Rehabilitation Care Accrues Long-Term Savings For Patients with Brain Injury
Heller News Release
December 07, 2021
Laura Lorenz and Michael Doonan's new study shows the U.S. could save billions of dollars and drastically improve quality of life for millions of people with severe brain injuries by expanding access to rehabilitation services.
Amazon Emerges as the Wage-and-Benefits Setter for Low-Skilled Workers Across Industries
Heller in the News
December 07, 2021
Research by David Weil and Clemens Noelke is referenced in a Wall Street Journal article on the impact of Amazon's facilities on inflation, job markets and labor standards.
As covid persists, nurses are leaving staff jobs — and tripling their salaries as travelers
Heller in the News
December 06, 2021
In the Washington Post, Karen Donelan is quoted talking about the risk-reward scenario of nurses traveling to work in places with high COVID cases.
Is the Great Resignation a great opportunity?
Heller in the News
December 06, 2021
David Korenthal, Hornstein MA/MBA'16, writes for eJewish Philanthropy that nonprofits have the opportunity to refresh staffing, reorganize and update policies to better reflect employees’ needs, and attract talent that is new to the field.
When federal assistance for ‘daily living’ doesn’t include parenting
Heller in the News
December 04, 2021
Robyn Powell, PhD'20, speaks to the Gettysburg Connection about how disabled people who use government-provided home care services are prevented from being assisted with tasks related to parenting.
Overdoses Have Skyrocketed During the Pandemic. How Do We Stop Them?
Heller in the News
December 02, 2021
In a New York Times opinion piece, Dr. Andrew Kolodny is quoted speaking about how overdose deaths have skyrocketed during the pandemic.
Will Roe v. Wade be overturned? Law professor weighs in
Heller in the News
December 01, 2021
Robyn Powell, PhD'20, speaks to Tampa Bay 10 about the chances of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
Governor announces partnership with Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence
Heller in the News
November 29, 2021
Ganesh Prasad, GHPM'09, is founder and CEO of the Diabetes Center of Excellence, and is quoted in Virgin Island Daily News speaking about improving education and treatment for residents to prevent diabetes and its complications.
Anita Hill On Gender Violence, The Law, And ‘Believing’
Heller in the News
November 29, 2021
WAMU highlight's Anita Hill's new book "Believing," and her work on fighting against gender violence and sexual harassment.
How you can help end gender-based violence
Heller in the News
November 29, 2021
In a Boston Globe opinion piece, Anita Hill writes that activism is about using your experiences, platforms, and resources to raise awareness and call for change.
How the pandemic helped spread fentanyl across the US and drive opioid overdose deaths to a grim new high
Heller in the News
November 22, 2021
In The Conversation, Andrew Kolodny writes about how the pandemic contributed to the spread of fentanyl in the U.S. and in the increase in opioid overdose deaths.
How the pandemic is contributing to alarming rise in opioid overdose deaths
Heller in the News
November 18, 2021
Andrew Kolodny talks to PBS NewsHour about the rise in opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic and the importance of increasing access to effective treatment.
Drug overdose deaths top 100,000 annually for the first time, driven by fentanyl, CDC data show
Heller in the News
November 17, 2021
Andrew Kolodny speaks to CNN about how improving access to treatment will help prevent further deaths from drug overdoses.
Overdose Deaths Reached Record High as the Pandemic Spread
Heller in the News
November 17, 2021
Andrew Kolodny talks to The New York Times about how the stress and isolation of the pandemic exacerbated risks of relapse for those suffering from addiction.
Heller Startup Challenge pitches feature tenant organizations, regenerative seaweed farming, and NFTs for fundraising
Heller News Release
November 16, 2021
Teams of student innovators worked together over the course of a weekend to develop and pitch social startup enterprise ideas as part of the 9th annual Heller Startup Challenge earlier this month.
HPC, Stuart Altman moving to next level
Heller in the News
November 15, 2021
Stuart Altman tells The Common Wealth's podcast he is proud of what the Health Policy Commission has been able to do in Massachusetts to rein in health care costs, but now it’s time to move to the next level.
Anita Hill discusses her newest book, “Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence”
Heller News Release
November 12, 2021
In a wide-ranging conversation, Prof. ChaeRan Freeze interviewed Prof. Hill about her book, the social and cultural systems that impact gender violence, and her personal journey over 30 years.
Time for Philanthropy to Confront Ableism
Heller in the News
November 12, 2021
Sandy Ho, MPP'22, a Research Associate at the Lurie Institute, writes for the Stanford Social Innovation Review that if philanthropy is to build a more just and equal society, it must combat ableism in its own institutions and practices.
Veterans Day legislation targets GI Bill racial inequities
Heller in the News
November 11, 2021
Research by Maria Madison and the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity on the impact of racial inequities in the administration of GI Bill benefits is mentioned in AP News.
Anita Hill speaks out against sexual harassment, 30 years after landmark testimony
Heller in the News
November 10, 2021
Anita Hill speaks to King5 about testifying in front of the Senate judiciary committee in 1991, and the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment and gender violence.
Brandeis Professor Anita Hill is a leading advocate in the fight against gender-based violence
Heller in the News
November 07, 2021
Anita Hill speaks to WCVB Channel 5 Boston about the fight against gender-based violence and her new memoir “Believing.”
A Spike In Drug Overdose Deaths During The Pandemic
Heller in the News
November 05, 2021
Andrew Kolodny joined Diane Rehm on WAMU American University Radio to discuss the recent spike in overdose deaths and how so many Americans became addicted to opioids in the first place.
Marc Abelard, William James College, Named “Business Partner of the Year” by Massachusetts Providers’ Council
Heller in the News
November 04, 2021
Marc Abelard, a PhD student in the Behavioral Health concentration, received the Council’s "Award of Excellence" for "Business Partner of the Year" this year following a nomination by partnering organization JRI.
The reason for workforce shortage? Kentucky employees are frustrated and fed up | Opinion
Heller in the News
November 03, 2021
David Weil is referenced in an opinion piece in the Courier Journal about the factors that are behind the workforce shortage and challenges of a "fissured workplace."
The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University Among Top-Enrolling Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program Institutions
Heller News Release
November 02, 2021
The Peace Corps announced today The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University ranked No. 3 among the top 10 Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program institutions for the 2020–21 academic year, ranked by enrollment.
Entrepreneur Alumnus Shares Stories and Advice with Heller MBA Students
Heller News Release
November 02, 2021
Founder and Chair of STREETS International Neal Bermas, PhD’81, visits MBA class on social entrepreneurship
Fair Prices Should Lead To Fair Access: Why Is The Grand Bargain So Hard?
Heller in the News
November 02, 2021
Sarah Emond, MPP'09, writes a pieces for the Health Affairs Blog short series, “Value Assessment: Where Do We Go Post-COVID?”
The Washingtonian Interview: Anita Hill
Heller in the News
November 01, 2021
In The Washingtonian, Anita Hill talks about how her life continues to be shaped by the decision to speak up and testify in 1991 about being sexually harassed.
Opioid addiction is a risk for older Americans — what you need to know
Heller in the News
October 29, 2021
Andrew Kolodny talks to MarketWatch about the risk of addiction seniors can face when prescribed opioids for pain relief.
Improving child well-being and equity across the United States: Clemens Noelke
Heller News Release
October 26, 2021
Research Scientist Clemens Noelke is dedicated to revealing inequities through applied research at the Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy.
How culturally competent teachers can create a more equitable education system: Sana Shaikh, PhD’20
Heller News Release
October 26, 2021
A Q&A with Sana Shaikh, PhD’20.
Safeguarding refugee health in a global pandemic
Heller News Release
October 26, 2021
Diana Bowser and Donald Shepard examine the impact of COVID-19 on Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia
The Conference That Continues to Shape U.S. Health Policy
Heller News Release
October 26, 2021
For nearly three decades, Stuart Altman has chaired the Princeton Conference, an annual meeting of the nation’s biggest figures in health policy.
Reframing Student Debt Cancellation as a Racial Justice Issue
Heller News Release
October 26, 2021
Researchers from the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity conducted the analysis backing progressives’ efforts to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt
Regulation and Disability Rights
Heller in the News
October 25, 2021
In The Regulatory Review, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, has an essay featured on justice for parents with disabilities and their children.
How Anita Hill shaped a whole generation of men and women entering the workplace
Heller in the News
October 24, 2021
Co-Host of "Because of Anita" podcast Professor Salamishah Tillet joins Yahoo Finance's A Time For Change to discuss the legacy of Anita Hill’s testimony, corporate America’s response to gender violence, and movement to combat these issues.
Anita Hill Cut Path to #MeToo as Barriers Persist 30 Years Later
Heller in the News
October 22, 2021
Bloomberg Law examines how the legal concept of "sexual harassment" became more widely understood after Hill testified in 1991, and how many legal and systemic barriers remain in place.
How the Government Can End Poverty for Native American Women
Heller in the News
October 22, 2021
Research from diversitydatakids.org is cited in an article in the Center for American Progress on how American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women in the United States who work full time and year-round are paid 40 percent less than white, non-Hispanic men working comparable hours.
Janet Boguslaw Published in The Future of Building Wealth
Heller in the News
October 21, 2021
Janet Boguslaw's original essay on the potential of employee ownership to narrow racial and gender wealth gaps is featured in a new publication by the Aspen Institute on the future of building wealth.
Black Borrowers Have Been Excluded From the Student-Debt Conversation, Report Says
Heller in the News
October 20, 2021
Research from the Institute on Assets and Social Policy is cited in a Chronicle of Higher Education article on student debt and racial inequality.
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy Receives $6 Million in New Grants
Heller News Release
October 18, 2021
The Lurie Institute is thrilled to announce $6 million in new federal funding for research at Lurie and at Lurie's centers, including a grant supporting the new Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research.
Racial Equity in Childcare
Heller in the News
October 18, 2021
In a New York Times letter to the editor, Pam Joshi urges lawmakers to ensure equitable access to affordable childcare for Black and Hispanic families as they hammer out the reconciliation bill.
‘Risks linked with parental mental illness and substance use are undeniable, but efforts to scale-out and sustain evidence-based practices are challenging’
Heller in the News
October 13, 2021
Joanne Nicholson talks to Frontiers about parental mental illness and substance use disorders and the challenges hindering prevention and intervention efforts.
Student Reflections on Hispanic Heritage Month
Heller News Release
October 08, 2021
Four Heller students offer thoughts about their Hispanic or Latino/a/x heritage and the significance of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Institute for Behavioral Health receives $2.9m NIH grant to study disparities in alcohol treatment
Heller News Release
October 07, 2021
Maureen Stewart, PhD'09, to lead 5-year project examining access to alcohol use treatment outcomes in Medicaid managed care plans.
Anita Hill's mission to end gender-based violence
Heller in the News
October 07, 2021
In an interview with Radio Boston, Anita Hill talks about her call for sweeping community action to end gender violence.
In a new podcast, Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford converse for the 1st time
Heller in the News
October 07, 2021
The podcast, called Because of Anita, is a four-part series that explores the enduring impact of Hill's testimony, with new insights and on-the-ground stories from guests.
Vaccine Mandates Hit Amid Historic Health-Care Staff Shortage
Heller in the News
October 04, 2021
In Yahoo! Finance, Karen Donelan explains that health care labor shortages have expanded from typically hard-to-hire sectors, like nursing homes, to markets and regions that rarely struggle to hire workers.
'There is no perfect victim': Anita Hill refuses to believe a myth that lets perpetrators off the hook
Heller in the News
October 04, 2021
In CNN Politics, Anita Hill discusses her new book and her thoughts on combating racial and gender inequality.
Traumatic Brain Injury Tied to Later Opioid Use, Misuse
Heller in the News
October 04, 2021
Physicians Weekly highlights Rachel Sayko Adams' research on the increased risk of opioid misuse among people with a history of traumatic brain injury.
Jessica Santos, PhD’15, to Become Inaugural Director of Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research
Heller News Release
October 01, 2021
Santos first joined the Heller School in 2011 as a PhD student, eventually becoming a scientist at the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity.
30 Years After Her Testimony, Anita Hill Still Wants Something From Joe Biden
Heller in the News
October 01, 2021
Anita Hill talks to POLITICO about her ideas for systemic change.
Scientists eye opioid vaccine as a shot to stem overdose epidemic
Heller in the News
October 01, 2021
In NBC News, Andrew Kolodny is quoted speaking about opioid addiction and overdose.
Heller MPP Program Establishes New Concentration in Environmental Justice
Heller News Release
September 30, 2021
In this Q&A, concentration chair Susan Curnan describes how this unique concentration blends issues of climate change and inequality.
Disabled mothers-to-be face indignity: ‘Do you have a man? Can you have sex?’
Heller in the News
September 30, 2021
Monika Mitra talks to the Los Angeles Times about the lack of information and data on parents with disabilities, as well as the persisting assumption that a person cannot have a disability and take care of someone else.
Advocates renew push for 'safe injection' sites
Heller in the News
September 28, 2021
Dr. Carole Allen, EMBA'17, is quoted in the Gloucester Daily Times saying now is a critical time for the state to pass legislation expanding the public health approach to the overdose crisis.
Heller Research Team Receives $2 Million to Build Next Generation of the Child Opportunity Index
Heller in the News
September 28, 2021
The Institute for Child, Youth, and Family Policy, led by Professor Dolores Acevedo-Garcia, has received an 18-month, $2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to build the next generation of the Child Opportunity Index (COI).
This tabletop game teaches players about the juvenile justice system
Heller in the News
September 28, 2021
PhD student Janelle Ridley is quoted in a Boston Globe story about the Run Around, a tabletop game about the juvenile justice system that is designed to be impossible to win.
Anita Hill Has Some Perspective to Offer
Heller in the News
September 25, 2021
Anita Hill talks to the New York Times about her experience testifying before the Senate 30 years ago, sexual harassment, and her growing impatience with the slow pace of change.
Brandeis’ First Academic Journal to Join JSTOR Archive
Heller News Release
September 24, 2021
"CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion," is an open-access journal that advances peer-reviewed scholarship into caste systems in South Asia and beyond.
Anita Hill: What It Was Like for Me to Watch Christine Blasey Ford’s Testimony
Heller in the News
September 23, 2021
Anita Hill writes for the Atlantic that based on her own experience in 1991, she knew that Christine Blasey Ford's life would never be the same.
Newton To Conduct Feasibility Study For Permanent Arts Pavilion
Heller in the News
September 22, 2021
Patch reports that the City of Newton will be conducting a feasibility study for a permanent arts and culture pavilion after Heller students found that arts and culture contribute over $19 million to Newton's economy and have community benefits.
Traumatic Brain Injury Tied to Later Opioid Use, Misuse
Heller in the News
September 22, 2021
HealthDay cites research by Rachel Sayko Adams, PhD'13, that examines how adults with a lifetime history of TBI are more at risk for prescription opioid use and misuse.
How parents can navigate first conversations about race and gender with young kids
Heller in the News
September 21, 2021
PhD student Megan Madison joined CBS Mornings to discuss a new children's book series she co-authored that aims to help parents navigate first conversations with young kids on topics such as race, gender, and body image.
Power moves: Top changes announced at Compass Working Capital and The Fund for Women and Girls
Heller in the News
September 20, 2021
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) recently welcomed Alicia Atkinson, MPP'13, as its managing director of financial empowerment.
Anita Hill: I Didn’t Need Joe Biden’s Apology. What I Need Is His Commitment to End Gender-Based Violence
Heller in the News
September 20, 2021
Anita Hill talks to TIME about the past three decades of learning about sexual harassment in the U.S., and why she feels we are now in a period of reckoning with gender-based violence.
House Democrats Abandon Biden’s Plan to Axe the Step-Up Tax Loophole
Heller in the News
September 17, 2021
A study by the Institute on Assets and Social Policy that shows how the step-up tax loophole disproportionately benefits white families is referenced in an article in Fatherly.
Doctor to teach class on stroke and aphasia recovery
Heller in the News
September 16, 2021
The Star Democrat provides details for the upcoming two-part class on stroke and aphasia recovery taught by Dr. Thomas G. Broussard Jr., PhD'06.
State Health Policy Commission recommends cost controls
Heller in the News
September 16, 2021
Stuart Altman is quoted in the The Patriot Ledger speaking on his concerns about the rising costs of health care in Massachusetts.
Small wonder: Robot at UMass Memorial performs minimally invasive cancer surgery
Heller in the News
September 16, 2021
Dr. Mitchell Solokoff, EMBA'20, speaks to the Telegram & Gazette about new technology that is allowing doctors to perform cancer surgeries using smaller incisions.
The novels have it: September sparkles with literary gems
Heller in the News
September 15, 2021
The Christian Science Monitor highlights Anita Hill's upcoming book "Believing," in which she challenges the economic, political, and social forces that perpetuate gender-based violence.
How Marty Walsh Saved David Weil From Building Trades Opposition
Heller in the News
September 14, 2021
Bloomberg Law reports on what David Weil's nomination as the U.S. Department of Labor's next Wage and Hour Division administrator would mean for the Biden administration's goals, such as expanding overtime eligibility and combating misclassification of gig workers.
How Fentanyl Became One of the Biggest Causes of Drug Overdoses in the U.S.
Heller in the News
September 13, 2021
Dr. Traci Green talks to PEOPLE about how accidental fentanyl overdoses have increased in communities throughout the U.S.
Best Selling Author and Stock Investing Coach Launches "Stocks and Sorors" to Catalyze Black Women into Stock Trading
Heller in the News
September 13, 2021
A 2014 study by the Institute on Assets and Social Policy and Credit Suisse is referenced by a new initiative aiming to help close the gender and racial wealth gap by teaching Black women how to navigate the stock market.
As Purdue Pharma prepares to dissolve, what will happen to its top-selling drug, OxyContin?
Heller in the News
September 12, 2021
In the Stamford Advocate, Dr. Andrew Kolodny shares his views on what needs to be done to reduce unnecessary exposure to opioids.
National Study of Primary Care for Older Adults Emphasizes Need for Team Care
Heller News Release
September 10, 2021
Karen Donelan, the Stuart H. Altman Professor of U.S. Health Policy at Brandeis University, discusses the importance of helping clinicians develop strategies to meet the high health needs of older adults while not burning out.
Black Opioid Overdose Deaths Are Increasing Faster Than Whites, Study Finds
Heller in the News
September 10, 2021
Dr. Andrew Kolodny talks to NPR about the need for a true public health response to the opioid crisis.
As Pandemic Cases Surge, West Virginians Are Urged To Get Vaccinated
Heller in the News
September 09, 2021
Dr. Sherri Young, EMBA '22, a health official in West Virginia, talks to NPR about the state's current COVID-19 surge overwhelming hospitals, and the low vaccination rate.
Study Finds People Suffering Traumatic Brain Injuries Are More at Risk of Opioid Abuse
Heller in the News
September 08, 2021
Newsweek reports on new research by Rachel Sayko Adams, PhD'13, regarding how adults with a lifetime history of TBI are more at risk for prescription opioid misuse due to multiple factors.
History of traumatic brain injury linked to higher rates of prescription opioid use and misuse
Heller in the News
September 07, 2021
A new paper by Rachel Sayko Adams, PhD'13, in the Journal for Head Trauma Rehabilitation suggests adults with a history of traumatic brain injury are at a higher risk of prescription opioid use and misuse.
Marty Walsh: ‘My Priorities Are Focused on Bolstering Worker Power’
Heller in the News
September 06, 2021
In an interview with Intelligencer, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh discusses the misclassification of gig workers and David Weil's views on the topic.
With gun violence resurgent in Allentown, police and community leaders work to build relationships on the streets
Heller in the News
September 04, 2021
In The Morning Call, a physician references the Child Opportunity Index when explaining root causes of violence in the community.
America Desperately Needs a Much Better F.D.A.
Heller in the News
September 02, 2021
In the New York Times, Andrew Kolodny states that the FDA puts industry interests ahead of public health.
September Book-Ahead: What We're Excited To Read This Month
Heller in the News
September 01, 2021
Iowa Public Radio highlights Anita Hill's upcoming book.
Boston Business Journal 2021 Executive Education Guide
Heller in the News
August 27, 2021
The Heller School's Executive MBA for Physicians program and other Executive Development Programs appear in the Boston Business Journal's 2021 Executive Education Guide
How photography can build peace and justice in war-torn communities
Heller in the News
August 20, 2021
In The Conversation, Pamina Firchow and colleagues from Everyday Peace Indicators use a method called "photovoice" to research peace and justice with residents in two rural villages in Colombia.
Massachusetts Medical Society calls for Baker to require masks in schools
Heller in the News
August 20, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Dr. Carole Allen, EMBA'17 and president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, says that all who learn, work or visit schools should wear masks.
Q&A: COVID Relief Programs Have Resulted in Skyrocketing Global Debt
Heller News Release
August 19, 2021
As the U.S. and other countries issue ever-growing debt to stimulate economies and weather economic shutdowns, economist A.K. Nandakumar cautions us to remember the long-term economic and geopolitical implications of high debt burdens.
Health Affairs Announces Health Equity Advisory Committee
Heller in the News
August 19, 2021
Dolores Acevedo-Garica, professor and director of the Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy, has been selected to join Health Affairs' Health Equity Advisory Committee.
Policy manager turns research into action for a better future
Heller in the News
August 13, 2021
In University of Cape Town News, Ziyanda Stuurman, MA SID'20, discusses her book, "Can We Be Safe? The Future of Policing in South Africa," which unpacks the fraught history of policing, courts and prisons in the country.
Q&A: Using Technology to Connect Refugee Olympic and Paralympic Athletes with Fans
Heller News Release
August 11, 2021
Student Lubna Yousef, MA COEX’22, is spending her practicum summer as a strategist with Airbnb, working on a program that supports refugee Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
How Cuomo Took Advantage of #MeToo
Heller in the News
August 11, 2021
In the New York Times, Anita Hill commends the New York attorney general's report of allegations of sexual harassment by Gov. Cuomo as a "proper investigation."
Killing by silence? The Census neglect of indigenous peoples in India
Heller in the News
August 08, 2021
In the Times of India, Heller PhD candidate Tanoj Meshram argues that the Census in India fails to recognize the religion and language of indigenous people in India.
For first time, average pay for supermarket and restaurant workers tops $15 an hour
Heller in the News
August 08, 2021
A Washington Post article about increasing restaurants wages cites research by Dean David Weil, Scientist Clemens Noelke and Princeton's Ellora Derenoncourt on the spillover effects of wage increases in labor markets.
State and med schools to address racism in medicine, health care
Heller in the News
August 04, 2021
In Harvard Medical School News, Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) President Carole Allen, EMBA'17, discusses a new partnership between MMS, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the state’s four medical schools intended to promote antiracism in medicine.
FDA approval could unleash more vaccine mandates
Heller in the News
August 03, 2021
In the National Journal, Michael Doonan says health insurance costs could incentivize employers to require the COVID vaccine for their employees.
The Biden Administration Is Rejecting “The War On Drugs” And Turning To “Harm Reduction”
Heller in the News
August 02, 2021
In Buzzfeed, Traci Green says the federal government is taking an important step toward correcting laws that treat overdoses as criminal acts rather than health events.
Physician convicted of illegally prescribing opioids says the DEA has turned doctoring into ‘another aspect of the war on drugs’
Heller in the News
July 28, 2021
In the Chicago Tribune, Andrew Kolodny says that "rapport" doesn't matter when a physician prescribes opioids; instead, physicians must make sure the benefits of the treatment outweigh the risks for that patient.
Could Health Insurance Cost More for the Unvaccinated?
Heller in the News
July 26, 2021
On NBC10, Michael Doonan says it would be difficult to charge unvaccinated individuals higher health insurance premiums while the vaccines are under emergency use authorization, even though the unvaccinated are costing insurers more.
Appeals Court Overturns FDA's Ban on Electric Shock Device
Heller in the News
July 26, 2021
In VeryWell Health, Finn Gardiner says that electric shock devices should not be used on people with disabilities, and that facilities should instead try treatments that focus on the underlying reasons instead.
People With Disabilities Need Services in the Community
Heller in the News
July 23, 2021
In Bloomberg Opinion, Ari Ne'eman writes that states should shift services for people with disabilities away from institutions and toward home- and community-based services (HCBS), and that Congress should pass the Better Care Better Jobs Act to increase funding for HCBS.
L.A. County’s Public Health Chief Discusses the Mask Mandate
Heller in the News
July 22, 2021
In the New York Times, L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, PhD'94 discusses how Los Angeles County is grappling with the Delta variant.
Column: A labor regulator protecting workers? To Big Business, that’s ‘unfit’
Heller in the News
July 21, 2021
A column in the LA Times highlights David Weil's nomination to be Wage and Hour Administrator, saying business lobby objections mean he is a good choice for the position and that he will promote pro-worker policies.
Health Affairs Briefing: Immigrant Health: Evidence & Policy
Heller in the News
July 21, 2021
In a Health Affairs briefing, Dolores Acevedo-Garcia discusses how restricting access to programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit by immigration legality is a manifestation of structural racism.
DOL Wage-Hour Recap: Senate Acts On Biden Nominees
Heller in the News
July 19, 2021
Law360 covers the Senate committee hearing for David Weil, who has been nominated to serve as Wage and Hour Administrator at the Department of Labor.
The Badass 50
Heller in the News
July 16, 2021
Instyle Magazine recognizes Anita Hill as one of the 50 women who are making the world a better place in 2021, honoring her work fighting workplace harassment for three decades.
Dean Weil Appears Before Senate Committee in First Hearing on his Nomination to Department of Labor
Heller News Release
July 15, 2021
Weil first served as the Wage and Hour administrator from 2014 to 2017, under President Obama, and has been nominated by President Biden to return to the position.
CDC: Overdose deaths increased by 30% during pandemic
Heller in the News
July 15, 2021
In Fox5, Andrew Kolodny says that the opioid crisis has continued to worsen during the pandemic and that the number of opioid-related overdoses has skyrocketed.
Losses piling up in health care cost control battle
Heller in the News
July 15, 2021
On WWLP, Stuart Altman says Massachusetts' cost containment law was effective in the years after 2012 but that it is now becoming more difficult to contain costs, so the process must become more stringent.
Building Communities for Success
Heller in the News
July 15, 2021
In SPAN magazine, Maria Madison writes about her philosophy toward her role as Associate Dean for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, focusing on fostering inclusivity in higher education to create a welcoming and motivating environment.
Biden Labor Picks Defend Left-Leaning Views from GOP Attack
Heller in the News
July 15, 2021
Bloomberg Law covers a Senate committee hearing on David Weil's nomination to be Wage and Hour Administrator at the Department of Labor.
How the meticulous bookkeeping of two sisters led to reparations for Black people across the country
Heller in the News
July 14, 2021
A column in the Washington Post references Susan Eaton's report on the Norflet Progress Fund, which has doled out $15 million to nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of Black people across the country.
Breaking a “Steady Habit” of Inequitable Housing, Education
Heller News Release
July 13, 2021
Sillerman Center Director Susan Eaton dissects Hartford metro area’s legacy of segregation, with an eye to solutions.
Here’s What Employers May Expect from the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division
Heller in the News
July 12, 2021
SHRM explores the priorities of a Biden Department of Labor with David Weil as Wage and Hour Administrator, saying DOL audits will focus on the use of independent contractors, raising the exempt salary threshold, revising overtime rules, establishing joint-employer liability and more.
In Brazil, There’s a Legal Term for What Britney Spears Says Is Happening: Sexual Violence
Heller in the News
July 12, 2021
In the Intercept, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, says there is nothing specific to forced contraception in U.S. law and that she believes what is happening to Britney Spears under her conservatorship is sexual assault.
$8: The Complicated Story Behind One Of The Most Repeated Statistics About Boston
Heller in the News
July 08, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Tom Shapiro says he hopes researchers update the 2015 study that showed Black families in Boston had a median net worth of just $8, but that the Black-white wealth gap remains large.
Anya Rader Wallack returns to VT, named UVM Health Network SVP
Heller in the News
July 08, 2021
The University of Vermont Health Network announced the appointment of Anya Rader Wallack, PhD'07, as senior vice president for strategic communications.
New appointment at Albany Med breaks racial barrier nationally
Heller in the News
July 07, 2021
News 10 reports that Dr. KMarie King, EMBA'17, has been named chair of the Department of Surgery and Chief of Surgery at Albany Medical Center, making her the first Black female chair of surgery at an academic health sciences center in the U.S.
Whither #MeToo? Chilling effect of Cosby reversal feared
Heller in the News
July 06, 2021
In AP, Anita Hill says the release of Bill Cosby reveals how hard it is for women to prove to prosecutors their claims should be heard in court by a jury and that the #MeToo movement is a work in progress.
What the U.S. Can Learn About Health Care From This West Virginia County’s Successful Vaccine Rollout
Heller in the News
July 06, 2021
Time Magazine highlights the work of Sherri Young, EMBA'22, health officer and executive director of West Virginia’s Kanawha-Charleston Health Department (KCHD), and her successful efforts to vaccinate West Virginians against COVID-19.
Young Asian Americans struggle to get immigrant parents to open up about a painful issue: racism
Heller in the News
July 06, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Sam Hyun, MBA/MPP'22, shares the challenges of discussing racism with his Korean immigrant mother and how they have become better at communicating over the past year.
Dr. KMarie King Named Chair of Surgery at Albany Med
Heller in the News
July 06, 2021
Dr. KMarie King, EMBA'17, is the first Black female chair of surgery at an academic health sciences center in U.S., reports Albany Med.
Opioid crisis sparks push to return to 'fundamentals of pain management'
Heller in the News
July 01, 2021
In the Middletown Press, Andrew Kolodny says Purdue pharma misled doctors into thinking patients were needlessly suffering from pain and that opioids were not addictive.
'Horrified' and 'finally'; reaction varies on Cosby release
Heller in the News
July 01, 2021
In ABC News, Anita Hill says the overturn of Bill Cosby's conviction demonstrates how failures in the U.S. criminal justice system make accountability for sexual assault impossible.
Some Texas students with disabilities thrived on remote learning, but have few options this fall
Heller in the News
June 30, 2021
Robyn Powell, PhD'20, says schools have to provide individualized education plans for children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Keller @ Large: What Is Critical Race Theory?
Heller in the News
June 29, 2021
On WBZ, Rajesh Sampath says critical race theory "is more interested in discrimination in housing and gerrymandering and discrimination in the workforce... It was born out of the law. It didn't come out of nowhere."
Make menstrual products available in schools
Heller in the News
June 29, 2021
In an op-ed in Commonwealth Magazine, Charlotte Powley, PhD'20, says menstrual hygiene management in schools is about belonging and equity and bathrooms should be stocked with tampons and pads, just like toilet paper and paper towels.
Student Loan Relief: Warren Holds Up Biden Nominee; Joins Schumer In Seeking Pause Extension
Heller in the News
June 28, 2021
The International Business Times says a letter from Democratic members of Congress to President Biden urging him to extend the pause of student loan payments cites Institute on Economic and Racial Equity research how student loans exacerbate the racial wealth gap.
Britney Spears forced IUD sparks important conversations about disability, reproductive rights
Heller in the News
June 24, 2021
In USA Today, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, comments on Britney Spears' conservatorship and its restrictions on her reproductive rights, saying it's emblematic of a history of reproductive injustice for disabled people.
How Anti-Racist Activism Affects Interracial Couples Like Us | Opinion
Heller in the News
June 21, 2021
In an opinion piece in Newsweek, Ye Zhang Pogue, PhD'19, shares her perspective on interracial marriage, 54 years after the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case that struck down laws against interracial marriage.
Racial Equity Action Challenge at Heller holds successful pilot weekend
Heller News Release
June 17, 2021
On June 5-6, the Heller School hosted its first Racial Equity Action Challenge at Heller (REACH), dedicated to creating actionable initiatives to address racial disparities at Heller and Brandeis and the local community.
Ensuring financial sustainability is more important than ever before
Heller in the News
June 17, 2021
eJewish Philanthropy writes about a new book from Deborah Kaplan Polivy, MSW'72, PhD'78, on ensuring financial sustainability for nonprofits, "The Time for Endowment Building Is Now: Why and How to Secure Your Organization’s Future."
Students and young workers benefit from best summer job market in years
Heller in the News
June 16, 2021
In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Lisa Lynch says the recent shower of jobs for young people is something that the U.S. hasn't seen for decades.
Accelerating Africa’s (technology) revolution
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
Amrote Abdella, MA SID’07, is expanding internet access and supporting African-led start-ups at Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative.
A big-picture approach to better health care
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
Health policy experts Jennifer Perloff and Robert Mechanic explain how Accountable Care Organizations could remake the U.S. health care system.
Beyond “Do no harm”
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
Four students reflect on ethical dilemmas in international development and peacebuilding – and how Heller is teaching them to challenge the status quo.
The overlooked children
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy research informs new policies, such as the American Rescue Plan, to include children in immigrant families in essential safety net programs.
Advancing access to independent living
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
The Community Living Policy Center helps win increased funding for home- and community-based services for people with disabilities in the American Rescue Plan.
Creative community-building during a pandemic school year
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
From virtual walking challenges to Halloween trivia and socially-distanced hikes, Heller students have found ways to stay connected during a challenging pandemic school year.
Making connections with the new B Connect
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
Connecting with fellow Brandeisians and Heller alumni is easier than ever with the newly relaunched B Connect platform, Brandeis’ hub for alumni networking and mentoring.
Summer 2021 Heller Magazine: Letter from the Dean
Heller News Release
June 15, 2021
In a letter to the Heller community, Dean David Weil offers his thoughts on bystanders' responsibility to act, and the many ways to effect positive social change in today's world.
Experts call for local health board funds
Heller in the News
June 15, 2021
In Yahoo News, Carole Allen, EMBA'17, says more funding for local health boards will improve the state and federal response to future COVID-19 outbreaks as well as other viral infections, natural disasters and calamities.
Study: Higher employer minimum wages forcing raises for all workers
Heller in the News
June 14, 2021
The Colorado Gazette highlights a study from David Weil and Clemens Noelke on how minimum wages set by Amazon and several national retailers are pushing pay higher in cities where the companies operate.
Glynn to retire as CEO of Harvard Allston Land Co.
Heller in the News
June 14, 2021
The Harvard Gazette reports that Tom Glynn, MSW'72, PhD'77, will retire from his role as chief executive officer of the Harvard Allston Land Co. (HALC) this summer.
Anita Hill’s Hollywood Commission Launches Anti-Bullying Training Series
Heller in the News
June 14, 2021
In the Wrap, Anita Hill says Hollywood needs training, resources and modeling to stop the cycles of abuse and retaliation of entry-level employees.
How A Fire Department Funding Model Could Preserve Rural Emergency Departments And Quality Emergency Care
Heller in the News
June 14, 2021
In the Health Affairs blog, PhD candidate Mark Zocchi co-authors a piece that argues that the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to rethink how the U.S. finances staffing small and rural emergency departments.
Brandeis Dean Poised To Join Walsh At Labor Department
Heller in the News
June 11, 2021
WGBH News covers Dean David Weil's nomination by President Biden to return to his former position as Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division in the U.S. Department of Labor.
‘A Necessity': Bill Would Make Menstrual Products Mandatory at Mass. Schools, Prisons
Heller in the News
June 11, 2021
Charlotte Powley, PhD'20, describes how her dissertation research supports the need for mandatory availability of menstrual products in Massachusetts schools on NBC10.
Erika J. Smith appointed Conn’s new Dean of the College
Heller in the News
June 10, 2021
Connecticut College has named Heller alumna Erika Smith, PhD'12, its new dean of the college.
Recent & Recommended Books on Black Homeownership
Heller in the News
June 10, 2021
The Washington Informer includes "The Hidden Cost of Being African American" by Professor Thomas Shapiro on its list of books on Black homeownership.
Four Heller Deans on Navigating Crises and Community Resilience
Heller News Release
June 08, 2021
University Professor Anita Hill moderated a June 3 panel discussion between Dean David Weil and former Deans Stuart Altman, Jack Shonkoff and Lisa Lynch.
Caste discrimination cause for concern among US organisations
Heller in the News
June 08, 2021
The Times of India notes that Brandeis University is the first U.S. university to ban caste-based discrimination, an achievement spearheaded by Heller's Center for Global Development and Sustainability.
Column: High cost of hearing aids shows (yet again) the insanity of medical pricing
Heller in the News
June 08, 2021
In the Los Angeles Times, Roberta Clarke says the medical device industry is largely an oligopoly, which allows the medical device companies to charge higher prices because there is little threat of competition.
Public Health Experts Discuss Strategies for State to Reach Herd Immunity
Heller News Release
June 04, 2021
Massachusetts health leaders discuss the state's redoubled efforts to reach those who doubt the efficacy of the vaccine, as well as those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Local leaders build pressure on Biden to cancel student loans
Heller in the News
June 04, 2021
Research from the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (formerly the Institute on Assets and Social Policy) regarding student debt and the racial wealth gap cited in The Hill.
Community Message: Dean Weil nominated to serve in the Biden administration
Heller News Release
June 03, 2021
In this email to the Heller community, Dean Weil shares that he has been nominated by President Biden to serve as the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the U.S. Department of Labor.
Uber Critic David Weil Tapped for Second Stint as DOL Wage Chief
Heller in the News
June 03, 2021
Bloomberg Law reports that David Weil has been selected for a return to his Obama-era post as the U.S. Labor Department’s wage-hour chief, the nation’s top enforcer of minimum pay and overtime laws.
Get Your Vaccine, And A $25 Gift Card, On Your Next Trip To Market Basket
Heller in the News
June 03, 2021
WBUR previews the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum's forum about vaccine hesitancy in Massachusetts and strategies to attain an optimum level of vaccinated residents.
Healey Says Sackler Family Trying To "Hijack And Abuse Bankruptcy Process" To Shield Themselves
Heller in the News
June 03, 2021
In WGBH, Andrew Kolodny comments on a proposed settlement plan from the Sackler family in response to lawsuits related to its involvement in the opioid epidemic.
Sudders Likens Door-to-Door Vaccination Effort to Campaign
Heller in the News
June 03, 2021
State House News Service covers a recent Massachusetts Health Policy Forum focused on addressing vaccine hesitancy in the Commonwealth.
Kim Kardashian is being sued for employment practices that are sadly common
Heller in the News
May 28, 2021
An NBC News story on Kim Kardashian being sued for wage theft cites David Weil's concept of a fissured workplace, which refers to companies using certain business models to shirk the responsibilities of being an employer.
Schools to expand program’s practices
Heller in the News
May 27, 2021
The Telegram & Gazette highlights a multiyear pilot program focusing on student trauma evaluated by Mary Brolin, who says it was challenging to get parents involved in the behavioral health initiative.
A community health worker intervention reduces hospital readmissions
Heller in the News
May 25, 2021
The Harvard Gazette covers a new study co-authored by Karen Donelan, which finds that pairing community health workers with patients admitted hospitals can decrease hospital readmissions and improve preventive care.
SID Commencement Speaker: Brontte Hwang '15, MA SID/MBA'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Brontte Hwang '15, MA SID/MBA'21, celebrated the different paths that brought each of her sustainable international development classmates to Heller.
PhD Commencement Speaker: Andréa Harris, PhD'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Andréa Harris, PhD'21, shared her journey from being selectively mute as a child to using her voice to speak on behalf of her PhD cohort, as well as her gratitude for the people at Heller who have supported her.
MS Commencement Speaker: Noah Mark '19, MS'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Noah Mark '19, MS'21, shared how people with privilege, like himself, must recognize it and use their resources to fight injustice.
EMBA Commencement Speaker: Wendy Macias-Konstantopoulos, EMBA'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Wendy Macias-Konstantopoulos, EMBA’21, reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic tested her physician classmates, many of whom served on the front lines at hospitals across the country.
COEX Commencement Speaker: Francis Ojok, MA COEX'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Francis Ojok, MA COEX'21, shared his journey from an internally displaced school in Uganda to earning his master’s degree in conflict resolution and coexistence at the Heller School, and his determination to build a more peaceful world.
MBA Commencement Speaker: Peggy Zhang, MBA/MA SID'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Peggy Zhang, MBA/MA SID'21, used a Chinese parable to describe what motivates her address society's pressing inequities and problems.
MPP Commencement Speaker: Marlana Wallace, MPP'21
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Marlana Wallace, MPP’21, representing the Master of Public Policy program, urged her classmates to take their outrage about environmental, racial and other injustices and turn it toward action.
Virtual Graduation 2021: “Never stop learning, fighting injustice, or expanding our worldviews”
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Heller held a virtual diploma ceremony for its class of 2021 graduates on Monday, May 24. The 241 graduates — 227 master’s and 14 doctoral degree recipients — represent seven programs and 38 countries, speaking 32 languages.
Commencement Remarks: Dean David Weil
Heller News Release
May 24, 2021
Dean David Weil shared reflections on the challenges of the past year, including the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests, and urged students to use their Heller education to make a difference in the world.
Book buddies
Heller in the News
May 21, 2021
Bethesday Magazine highlights the work of Isaac Cudjoe, MA COEX'18, who co-created the nonprofit Brothers With Books that distributes free new books in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Anita Hill-Led Hollywood Commission Panel Tackles Workplace Bullying: “Treating People Well Is Really Good Business”
Heller in the News
May 21, 2021
Deadline covers a panel led by Anita Hill, “Bullying and Toxic Workplaces in Hollywood," which discusses newly released survey results of 10,000 industry workers which found 75% of workers 18-29 faced bullying in 2019.
The AAPI History I carry with me: Sam Hyun
Heller in the News
May 20, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Sam Hyun, MBA/MPP'22, shares how being an uncle to biracial Korean and Jamaican nieces and nephews inspires him to work for social and racial justice.
First lady offers support, hopeful message during visit to West Virginia
Heller in the News
May 19, 2021
In the Herald Dispatch, Dr. Sherri Young, EMBA'22, meets First Lady Jill Biden, Sen. Joe Manchin and actress Jennifer Garner during a visit to a West Virginia vaccine clinic.
Drop out or drown in debt? Many Black students in Wisconsin face stark choices in paying for college
Heller in the News
May 19, 2021
The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service cites a statistic from the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (formerly Institute on Assets and Social Policy) showing that after 20 years, Black student loan holders owe an average of $18,500 while white borrowers owe just $1,000.
Jainaba Gaye, Heller MA’21: Meet the 2021 graduate Commencement speaker
Heller in the News
May 18, 2021
In BrandeisNow, Jainaba Gaye, MA COEX'21, says her time at Heller has shown her the reward of going beyond one’s comfort zone in pursuit of goals, a message she feels will be compelling for her mentors, friends and peers.
Drug Expert: U.S. Needs an ‘Operation Warp Speed’ for Opioid Epidemic
Heller in the News
May 17, 2021
On KPIX CBS SF Bay Area, Andrew Kolodny says for opioid deaths start to come down, it must be much easier for people to obtain treatment.
Anita Hill-Led Hollywood Commission Releases New Data, Recommendations And Tools Addressing “Pervasive” Bullying In Entertainment Industry, Especially Among Assistants
Heller in the News
May 17, 2021
In Deadline, Anita Hill says for there to be lasting culture change in Hollywood, then it cannot ignore how assistants and other entry-level employees are treated and must provide the training, resources and modeling necessary to stop the cycles of abuse and retaliation.
Arlington’s Dr. Carole E. Allen elected president of the Massachusetts Medical Society
Heller in the News
May 17, 2021
Massachusetts Medical Society announces that Dr. Carole Allen, EMBA'17, has been elected its new president, leading the statewide professional association of physicians and medical students.
Instead of rental vouchers, give people shot at owning home
Heller in the News
May 12, 2021
In a column in the Albuquerque Journal, a columnist proposes a home-ownership voucher to help decrease the racial wealth gap, based on a study by the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity (then known as the Institute on Assets and Social Policy).
The Impact of COVID on The Healthcare System and The Biden Health Agenda
Heller in the News
May 12, 2021
In this First 100 Days event, Stuart Altman led a discussion about the impact of COVID on health policy and the health care delivery system, as well as the early health policy accomplishments of the Biden Administration.
The Crime of the Century
Heller in the News
May 10, 2021
A new documentary from HBO called "The Crime of the Century" features Andrew Kolodny and delves into how pharmaceutical companies and government regulations enabled over-production and distribution of synthetic opiates.
MassArt names former Kennedy Institute head as new president
Heller in the News
May 05, 2021
The Massachusetts College of Art and Design has named Mary Grant, PhD'00, former head of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate, as its new president.
Will Biden Favor Drug Companies—or Billions of People Needing COVID Vaccines?
Heller in the News
May 05, 2021
In the American Prospect, Robert Kuttner argues in favor of the temporary waiver of intellectual-property provisions, so that production of COVID vaccines can proceed worldwide, at the lowest possible cost.
Vaccine Equity and Efficacy in the Time of COVID Variants
Heller in the News
May 04, 2021
On April 23, Maria Madison moderated a panel as part of Heller's First 100 Days series, bringing together representatives from various sectors, domestic and global, to share their perspectives on the global rollout of the COVID vaccine, which has raised issues around equity and access.
Views on the News: Vaccine nationalism, Big Pharma and the distribution vacuum in India
Heller in the News
May 04, 2021
Diana Bowser, A.K. Nandakumar and Rajesh Sampath share their thoughts on how does vaccine nationalism or pandemic profiteering factor into the current nature of global and domestic vaccine distributions.
When Amazon raises wages, nearby firms follow suit
Heller in the News
April 30, 2021
The Economist highlights a new paper from Clemens Noelke and David Weil which finds that when big American firms increase wages for their hourly workers, the change tends to spill over to other local employers.
DCF has long failed families with disabilities, advocates say. A pair of investigations is spurring a reckoning
Heller in the News
April 28, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, says the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families does not have the knowledge, the skills, the awareness or the willingness to fix its problems when it comes to children and parents with disabilities.
Q & A with Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison
Heller in the News
April 27, 2021
Publisher's Weekly interviews PhD candidate Megan Madison about her board book series, which introduces tough topics to toddlers and the tools to discuss them. Her new book, "Being You: A First Conversation About Gender," is due out in July.
Inside McDonald's Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Problem
Heller in the News
April 27, 2021
On Vice News, David Weil discusses class action lawsuits over sexual harassment and racial discrimination at McDonald's, saying there has been a steady erosion of rights and protections of millions of working people over the years.
‘The Crime of the Century’ Trailer: Doc Scrutinizes Big Pharma and Opioid Crisis
Heller in the News
April 23, 2021
Rolling Stone shares the trailer for a new HBO documentary, "The Crime of the Century," which features expert commentary from Andrew Kolodny.
Dr. Andrew Kolodny - One Year Later: The Opioid Epidemic During COVID-19
Heller in the News
April 23, 2021
As part of New Jersey's Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day, Andrew Kolodny discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Leave no one behind: ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines for refugee and displaced populations
Heller in the News
April 22, 2021
In Nature, Diana Bowser and Don Shepard join colleagues in a commentary piece that says ensuring access to vaccines against COVID-19 for refugee and displaced populations and addressing health inequities are vital for an effective pandemic response.
Florida ‘disability abortion’ bill has some critics in the disability community
Heller in the News
April 22, 2021
In the Tampa Bay Times, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, says a "disability abortion" ban would hurt the least fortunate the most and would be used as a justification for taking abortion rights away.
By bearing witness — and hitting ‘record’ — 17-year-old Darnella Frazier may have changed the world
Heller in the News
April 21, 2021
In the Washington Post, Anita Hill spoke to Darnella Frazier, the girl who took the video of George Floyd, and said, “Your quick thinking and bravery under immense pressure has made the world safer and more just. Thank you."
Raising Standards for Fast-Food Workers in California
Heller in the News
April 21, 2021
The Center for American Progress says the fast-food sector is an emblematic example of what David Weil calls “fissuring,” where leading firms place intermediaries between themselves and workers through layers of franchising and contracting.
Leader of the Year – Hermella Woldehana
Heller in the News
April 20, 2021
Blood:Water names Hermella Woldehana, MA SID'22, as one of its leaders of the year for her work as executive director of Drop of Water, which aims to provide 100% access to clean drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene in all parts of Ethiopia.
Big companies raising wages could boost pay for workers at nearby businesses
Heller in the News
April 20, 2021
Business Insider highlights a new paper from David Weil and Clemens Noelke on the effects of Amazon and other major retailers raising their minimum wages on wages at other nearby businesses.
HPC traces racial impacts of COVID
Heller in the News
April 15, 2021
In Commonwealth Magazine, Stuart Altman, chair of the Health Policy Commission, says it is “troubling” to see above-benchmark health care spending in Massachusetts over the past two years.
2021 Heller Awards honor outstanding service during a challenging year
Heller News Release
April 14, 2021
The Heller community celebrated this year’s Heller Award winners in a virtual ceremony, recognizing individuals who stepped up during a pandemic year to provide outstanding service in teaching, mentoring, teaching assistance, staff service, research, and equity, inclusion and diversity.
Views on the News: Changes to vaccine rollout plans bring new light to public health challenges
Heller in the News
April 14, 2021
In the Justice, Christine Bishop says she is saddened that carefully laid public health disaster plans for population-wide inoculation were ignored, reflecting chronic underfunding of public health and overreliance on market solutions.
Why Hollywood keeps enabling abusive movie moguls, even after #MeToo
Heller in the News
April 09, 2021
In Quartz, Anita Hill says that in Hollywood, bullying is condoned as part of ‘paying your dues’ on the way up and has been openly displayed in films.
Dividends of a Just Economy
Heller in the News
April 09, 2021
In the New York Review of Books, Robert Kuttner asks, what is keeping the government from acting on behalf of its citizens?
Coalition Seeks New Zoning Rules to Support Housing Affordability—and Integration
Heller in the News
April 08, 2021
Nonprofit Quarterly covers a new study co-authored by Susan Eaton of the Sillerman Center about zoning racism in Connecticut. She acknowledges some changes near Hartford in recent years, but says that housing segregation remains high.
Celebrating the Winners of the 2021 Bluestone Rising Scholar Prize
Heller News Release
April 06, 2021
The editors of "CASTE: A Global Journal on Social Exclusion" have revealed the winners of this year’s Bluestone Rising Scholar Prize to be Anurag Bhaskar and Indulata Prasad.
Biden and the waning of the ‘neoliberal’ era
Heller in the News
April 05, 2021
The Washington Post highlights Robert Kuttner's column saying that President Biden's ambitious agenda could mark the transformation of the Democrats from decades of being “a Wall Street neoliberal party.”
With Joe Biden’s own audacious New Deal, the democratic left rediscovers its soul
Heller in the News
April 05, 2021
The Guardian highlights Robert Kuttner's column declaring that the American Rescue Plan “is the most significant legislation for working people that has been passed in decades”.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro: “What the government can do is expand opportunity”
Heller News Release
April 01, 2021
The Connecticut congresswoman discussed child poverty, equality for women, labor rights, with Dean David Weil in a Conversation with the Dean and First 100 Days event.
UNH, Johns Hopkins and Brandeis partner in support of RCC
Heller in the News
March 31, 2021
The University of New Hampshire, Johns Hopkins University and Brandeis University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in support of a research collaboration to foster innovations in the development and application of relational coordination research through the Relational Coordination Collaborative (RCC).
This Bay area company raised wages during the pandemic. Will more follow?
Heller in the News
March 31, 2021
In the San Francisco Chronicle, Clemens Noelke says Amazon's decision to increase its minimum wage to $15 an hour may reflect a shift in norms around how well workers should be paid, and may induce other companies to do the same.
What My MD/MBA Program is Really Like
Heller in the News
March 31, 2021
Students from the Tufts-Brandeis MD/MBA program, where students earn a Social Impact MBA degree from Heller, share their experiences with the program.
Atlanta slayings, NYC attack prompt calls for stronger laws against hate crimes
Heller in the News
March 31, 2021
The Boston Herald covers an event with Sam Hyun, MBA/MPP'22, chair of the Massachusetts Asian American Commission, and Sen. Ed Markey, where Hyun said that anti-Asian racism and violence is not new and that the nation is finally waking up and having a reckoning.
The Heller School at Brandeis University named top 10 graduate school in two public affairs categories
Heller News Release
March 30, 2021
U.S. News & World Report recognizes Heller as 9th for social policy and 9th for health policy and management in its 2022 rankings, based on a survey of deans, directors and department chairs at graduate schools of public affairs across the country.
Report: Mass. Health Care Costs Rose 4.3% In 2019
Heller in the News
March 29, 2021
On WBUR, Stuart Altman says the report shows that health care spending was increasing even before the pandemic, which was a concerning trend for families and employers who already struggle to afford the high cost of health care in Massachusetts.
Leading and Advocating for the Massachusetts Asian American Community in a Time of Crisis
Heller News Release
March 26, 2021
During a year of escalating racism and violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Sam Hyun, MBA/MPP’22, has been a tireless advocate for AAPIs, including serving as chair of the Massachusetts Asian American Commission.
Pandemic Plan for COVID-19 as Chronic, but Manageable Threat, Experts Say
Heller in the News
March 24, 2021
In Voice of America, A.K. Nandakumar says the biggest problem in managing COVID-19 that he sees is lack of willingness to take the vaccine, even among front-line workers and health care workers.
Time to End the Presidential Pardon Power
Heller in the News
March 24, 2021
In the American Prospect, Robert Kuttner says repealing the pardon power of presidents could command bipartisan support, especially in light of Trump’s corruption in selling pardons.
AAPI Voices Are Taking To Social Media To Spread Awareness To #StopAAPIHate
Heller in the News
March 24, 2021
In Forbes, Sam Hyun, MBA/MPP'22, chairperson of the Massachusetts Asian American Commission, shares how he and other activists have spoken up with the hashtag #StopAAPIHate about violence against Asian Americans.
Views on the News: President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package
Heller in the News
March 23, 2021
In the Justice, Rajesh Sampath comments on the American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief bill, saying he wishes more was allocated in terms of stimulus payments, child tax credit and weekly unemployment insurance.
Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction: The Perfect Storm
Heller in the News
March 22, 2021
On CNN, Andrew Kolodny talks to Dr. Sanjay Gupta about COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the opioid crisis in the U.S. and the efforts underway to end the decades-long epidemic.
Loathing the Working Class, Censoring Conservatives, Future of Real Estate, Employment, Outsourcing
Heller in the News
March 22, 2021
On the What Happens Next podcast, David Weil discusses the fissured workplace, describing the misclassification of workers, the gig economy, and the challenges of outsourcing work.
Can Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Deliver Peace?
Heller in the News
March 19, 2021
The United States Institute of Peace and the Heller School hosted a timely discussion on how applying the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion can contribute to more effective U.S. peace and development programs around the world, featuring Pamina Firchow as moderator.
Lawmakers Look to Spruce Up Gig Work Rather Than Replace It
Heller in the News
March 18, 2021
In Bloomberg, David Weil says marginal improvements to gig work are not a good idea, because they allow powerful companies to pick and choose the protections they will adopt.
Connecting Local Knowledge with Peace and Development Initiatives with Dr. Pamina Firchow
Heller in the News
March 18, 2021
PCDN Social Change Careers interviews Pamina Firchow about her life and career, infusing local knowledge to generate indicators that can improve the effectiveness of peace and development initiatives.
Mayor Scott Announces Cal Harris to Serve as Communications Director
Heller in the News
March 17, 2021
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announces that Cal Harris, MPP'10, will serve as communications director for the Mayor’s Office.
Can employers require coronavirus vaccines? It’s not clear yet.
Heller in the News
March 16, 2021
In the Tampa Bay Times, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, says companies should have no issues requiring coronavirus vaccination, because there’s no court ruling or law that would keep them from doing so.
Remembering Professor Emeritus David Gil
Heller News Release
March 15, 2021
One of Heller’s most beloved and celebrated faculty members, he joined the Heller School a mere five years after its founding and served on the faculty for 46 years.
Rawls and Challenge of Democracy in India - Rajesh Sampath
Heller in the News
March 15, 2021
In a lecture for the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, Rajesh Sampath discusses John Rawls and how societies that are increasingly diverse ensure rights for racial, ethnic, gender, sexuality, and immigrant minorities.
United Way of Greater Portland names Ninette Irabaruta director of public policy, advocacy
Heller in the News
March 11, 2021
The Portland Press-Herald announces that Ninette Irabaruta, MA SID'18, has been named the director of public policy and advocacy by United Way of Greater Portland.
Histogen Strengthens Board of Directors with Appointment of Industry Leader Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D.
Heller in the News
March 11, 2021
Histogen Inc., a regenerative medicine company, has appointed Susan R. Windham-Bannister, PhD'77, an internationally recognized expert in innovation, market access and market optimization strategies, to its Board of Directors.
“Maximum Pressure” Hardened Iran Against Compromise
Heller in the News
March 11, 2021
In Foreign Affairs, Hadi Kahalzadeh says U.S. sanctions against Iran helped to shrink the middle class and empower the Revolutionary Guards, stigmatizing the idea of engagement with the West as a solution to Iran’s economic woes.
Sharon Lum appointed chair of LLUH Department of Surgery
Heller in the News
March 08, 2021
Loma Linda University announces that Sharon Lum, EMBA'22, has been appointed chair of Loma Linda University Health’s Department of Surgery, effective March 15.
What does it mean to be paid a “piece rate”?
Heller in the News
March 08, 2021
On Marketplace, David Weil says businesses that pay workers a “piece rate” — a given dollar amount per task — must make sure workers are still receiving at least minimum wage, but that chances are slim that any given company would be investigated by the Department of Labor for violations.
Making a Global Impact: Ariel Delaney '07
Heller in the News
March 08, 2021
Castleton University profiles Ariel Delaney, MA SID'13, and her work as a senior program coordinator for the Financial Services for the Poor team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
When Amazon Raises Its Minimum Wage, Local Companies Follow Suit
Heller in the News
March 06, 2021
The New York Times highlights new research from David Weil, Clemens Noelke and Ellora Derenoncourt of Berkeley that shows Amazon's decision to pay $15/hour has increased wages for low-wage workers at other businesses -- without driving down employment.
How the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is helping Miami Valley pharmacies
Heller in the News
March 03, 2021
On Dayton Now, Jon Chilingerian says Johnson & Johnson working with Merck to produce vaccines makes sense, calling it a "win, win, win. It’s a win for us and it's a win for both companies.”
House health leader calls for permanent Medicare telehealth expansions
Heller in the News
March 03, 2021
In Fierce Healthcare, Megan Mahoney, EMBA'22, chief of staff at Stanford Health Care and witness at a congressional hearing about telehealth, says changes to telehealth made during the pandemic should be made permanent, such as enabling payment parity for virtual visits.
‘Dividing Lines’: Want to know more about Norfolk’s history of segregation? Here’s a reading list.
Heller in the News
February 27, 2021
The Virginian-Pilot recommends the book "Dismantling Desegregation: The Quiet Reversal of Brown v. Board of Education" by Susan Eaton to better understand segregation in Norfolk.
Study Analyzes Infrastructure Needs of HBCUs, TCUs and HSIs
Heller in the News
February 26, 2021
In Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld discusses how minority-serving institutions are working together to advance cyberinfrastructure capabilities and data and computing resources.
New Proposal Will Build on Opioid Patients’ Right to Know Act
Heller in the News
February 26, 2021
In Legal Reader, Andrew Kolodny comments on the newly proposed Opioid Patients’ Right to Know Act, saying, "One of the best ways to do this is by making sure prescribers, patients and parents understand how highly addictive opioids are before a first prescription is ever written or filled."
A Conversation With Rosa Brooks
Heller in the News
February 25, 2021
In the American Prospect, Robert Kuttner interviews Rosa Brooks, author of the new book ‘Tangled Up in Blue,’ on police reform.
Making student debt relief stick
Heller in the News
February 25, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Tom Shapiro discusses the next steps after debt cancellation to make sure Americans don't return to the current situation, with millions crushed by college loans.
Would Canceling Student Debt Promote Racial Equity?
Heller in the News
February 24, 2021
Inside Higher Ed cites a 2019 study from the Institute on Economic and Racial Equity that shows more white students than Black students have student loans, but a greater percentage of Black students have loans and would benefit from cancellation.
Retirement Crisis Hits Black Families Hard
Heller in the News
February 23, 2021
The Wall Street Journal cites the research of the Institute on Economic and Racial Equity which found that 45% of Black college-educated households gave financial support to the parents of at least one adult in the household, compared with only 16% of white college-educated households.
'I also defaulted': Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley reveals her experience with student loan debt
Heller in the News
February 21, 2021
Yahoo Finance covers U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley's press conference where she revealed she also defaulted on student loans, citing a study by the Institute on Economic and Racial Equity study about Black borrowers carrying student debt for longer than white borrowers.
25 Investigates: Autistic group home resident sexually assaulted by her caretaker
Heller in the News
February 19, 2021
On Boston 25 News, Monika Mitra says sexual violence against people with developmental disabilities is an epidemic, and that they are five to seven times more likely to be victims and the problem has been made worse by COVID-19.
Opinion: A cost-benefit analysis of student debt
Heller in the News
February 19, 2021
In the Washington Post, Senators Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren cite the work of the Institute on Economic and Racial Equity in a letter to the editor about reducing student debt.
Top 10 Entrepreneurs To Watch Out For in 2021
Heller in the News
February 16, 2021
Yahoo Finance highlights Sukia Akiba, MS'18, an entrepreneur, environmentalist and social and political activist, as one of its top 10 entrepreneurs to follow in 2021.
Time for an American Youth Congress?
Heller in the News
February 16, 2021
In the Metro West Daily News, Susan Curnan says "it's time to listen and establish a 2021 platform for positive youth engagement and leadership in civic life."
‘There are a lot of people who can’t get to Fenway or Gillette’: Some residents feel overlooked in vaccine rollout
Heller in the News
February 16, 2021
In the Boston Globe, Elissa Sherman, PhD'99, says she's pleased that the Baker administration is trying to create opportunities for onsite vaccine clinics so people don’t have to leave their nursing home communities.
Why Texas’ power grids couldn’t meet demand
Heller in the News
February 16, 2021
On Marketplace, David Weil say misclassification is a tactic that many companies use to avoid the costs and responsibilities that come with being an employer.
Doctors who say no to opioid use face threats from patients
Heller in the News
February 14, 2021
In AP, Andrew Kolodny says helping patients taper down from pain medication is challenging, even if the opioids aren't treating the underlying problem causing the patient pain.
The economics of nursing homes (and paying for one)
Heller in the News
February 12, 2021
On Marketplace, Christine Bishop says nursing homes had been losing occupancy even before the pandemic, because more people were getting services at home and only going to nursing homes at the very end of their lives.
The Heller Community’s Deep Dive into Racial Equity
Heller News Release
February 11, 2021
In January 2021, the Heller School embarked on a school-wide initiative to deepen the community’s understanding of racial equity and racism in the U.S.
HBO Teams With Alex Gibney For Two-Part Opioid Epidemic Documentary ‘The Crime Of The Century’
Heller in the News
February 11, 2021
Deadline announces a new HBO documentary by Alex Gibney, "The Crime of the Century," which will feature Andrew Kolodny as the film explores the origins and fallout of the opioid epidemic
Actions the Biden administration and Congress can take to better protect farmworkers
Heller in the News
February 11, 2021
On an Economic Policy Institute panel, David Weil discusses the significant challenges that farmworkers confront in the workplace and the options available to improve protections for them.
Schumer, Warren Misstate Student Loan Debt Disparity
Heller in the News
February 11, 2021
In Fact Check, Elizabeth Warren cites an Institute on Economic and Racial Equity study that shows the Black-white wealth gap would decrease by 28 points for African Americans among borrowing households.
How boosting careers for women of color could save lives
Heller News Release
February 10, 2021
Senior Scientist Janet Boguslaw and Scientist Jessica Santos wrap up long-term research project and curriculum to reduce racial disparities in health care jobs and outcomes.
Addressing food insecurity and mental health in Waltham during COVID-19
Heller News Release
February 10, 2021
Heller students work with local nonprofit to support hard-hit Ugandan immigrant community.
A Radical Idea: Give People Money
Heller in the News
February 09, 2021
In the American Prospect, Robert Kuttner says the new plan by the Biden administration to give working people direct $2,000 checks is a good step toward income-equality reform.
New Name, New Vision, Same Values: Introducing the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity
Heller News Release
February 08, 2021
A Q&A with institute Director Maria Madison on renaming the Institute on Assets and Social Policy to reflect this racial justice inflection point.
Marty Walsh 'Has All The Skills' To Lead Labor Department, Says Former U.S. Deputy Labor Secretary
Heller in the News
February 08, 2021
On GBH Morning Edition, Thomas Glynn, MSW’72, PhD’77, discusses Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's confirmation hearings to become Secretary of Labor.
New Interventions To Address Substance Use Disorder Must Take Financial Sustainability Into Account
Heller in the News
February 05, 2021
In the Health Affairs blog, Dominic Hodgkin, Constance M. Horgan, Maureen Stewart and Stephanie Jordan Brown argue that new interventions, if they're not financially sustainable, won’t have any lasting impact in the struggle against Substance Use Disorder.
Marketplace: Surprise! You weren't an employee after all
Heller in the News
February 04, 2021
On Marketplace, David Weil discusses the importance of being labeled as an employee, such as labor protections and unemployment benefits, as jobs increasingly move toward gig work.
Cancel $50,000 in student loan debt? Democrats urge Biden to do that in new resolution
Heller in the News
February 04, 2021
The Charlotte Observer cites a study by the Institute on Economic and Racial Equity that shows median white borrowers had reduced their debt by 94% 20 years after entering repayment, compared to the median black borrower who still owed 95% of their student loans.
How To Fight The Opioid Crisis In The Middle Of A Pandemic
Heller in the News
February 03, 2021
In 1A, Andrew Kolodny discusses the best way to address the opioid crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic under the new Biden administration.
FDA's Janet Woodcock failed to stop the opioid epidemic
Heller in the News
February 03, 2021
In USA Today, Andrew Kolodny says Janet Woodcock, the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, "presided over the worst medical regulatory failure in U.S. history," failing to adequately control the opioid epidemic.
2021 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey
Heller in the News
February 02, 2021
In WalletHub, Roberta Clarke says she expects Valentine's Day spending to fall overall, particularly for people who have lost for jobs, as well as in the dining sector.
The mirage of the Black middle class
Heller in the News
January 28, 2021
Vox cites a study by Tom Shapiro about the legacy of chattel slavery — low wages, segregation, poor schooling — and its impact on Black and white wealth disparities.
How Biden Wants to Trim a Mountain of Student Debt
Heller in the News
January 27, 2021
In Bloomberg, Tom Shapiro comments on President Biden's $10,000 student debt relief plan, saying such “minimal” relief would do nothing to narrow a 20-to-1 wealth gap between white and Black households with student debt.
Introducing the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity
Heller News Release
January 26, 2021
Formerly known as the Institute on Assets and Social Policy, IERE will continue to expand the institute’s focus on racial and economic equity in social policy. This name change is the culmination of a months-long visioning process led by newly appointed institute director, Maria Madison.
COVID crisis kept parents away from pediatric ERs early on, may still be doing so
Heller in the News
January 26, 2021
Health Exec cites the Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy's Child Opportunity Index data showing that parents in low-opportunity areas were more hesitant to bring their children to emergency rooms for COVID-19.
How The Concentration Of Wealth Makes The Corporate Elite Untouchable
Heller in the News
January 26, 2021
On KCUR, Robert Kuttner says elites have accumulated enough wealth and power to be immune to the law, not unlike the feudal lords of medieval times.
Parents With Disabilities Face Extra Hurdles With Kids' Remote Schooling
Heller in the News
January 25, 2021
On WXXI, Robyn Powell, PhD'20, says the pandemic has exposed longstanding inequities that have always existed for parents and caregivers with disabilities as they navigate online schooling for their children.
Robert Kuttner On President Biden's $1.9 Trillion Economic Recovery Plan: 'Good Riddance To The Deficit Hawks'
Heller in the News
January 25, 2021
On WGBH, Robert Kuttner says President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion economic recovery plan doesn't pose much of an economic problem because interest rates are projected to remain so low for so long that massive new debt doesn't pose a threat.
Nurse practitioner care during COVID-19
Heller in the News
January 25, 2021
BC News reports on a study by Monica O'Reilly-Jacob, PhD'18, and Jennifer Perloff, who surveyed nurse practitioners in Massachusetts about their perception of the impact of temporarily waived state practice restrictions on their care delivery during the initial surge of COVID-19.
How West Virginia Became a U.S. Leader in Vaccine Rollout
Heller in the News
January 25, 2021
In the New York Times, Dr. Sherri Young, EMBA'22, the health officer in Kanawha County, West Virginia, says the state needs more vaccines in order to reliably schedule vaccination clinics.
The 'Russian doll' workplace
Heller in the News
January 24, 2021
The Week highlights David Weil's comments on "Russian doll" arrangements, where more and more people work for staffing companies rather than regular employees, making it harder for workers to seek better work conditions and benefits.
Pamela Joshi named to National Academies Committee on opportunity gaps for children
Heller News Release
January 22, 2021
The committee is tasked with studying the causes and consequences of opportunity gaps for young children, and making recommendations on how to improve conditions and promote success for children at home, in communities and in schools.
'Coming for You and Your Job': With Prop. 22, Are Grocery Staff Layoffs Just the Beginning?
Heller in the News
January 22, 2021
In KQED, David Weil says gig work companies are using the platform as a way to get out of the obligation of actually treating workers as employees, causing an erosion of workplace standards.
Physician leaders meet the challenge of a career
Heller News Release
January 21, 2021
Students and alumni draw on EMBA skills, resources and connections to navigate the pandemic.
Reimagining policing in America
Heller News Release
January 21, 2021
Heller students and alumni work to advance policies and programs for racial equity, police accountability and community safety across the country.
2020 asks us: If not now, when?
Heller News Release
January 21, 2021
Dean David Weil shares reflections on the challenges Heller has faced during 2020 and how the Heller community must step up to address the critical social policy issues of the world today.
The forgotten frontline workers
Heller News Release
January 21, 2021
Christine Bishop, the Atran Professor of Labor Economics, and Karen Donelan, the Stuart H. Altman Chair in U.S. Health Policy, provide unique perspectives on the precarious world of nursing home workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Biden might shore up the Affordable Care Act
Heller in the News
January 21, 2021
In Healthcare Dive, Stuart Altman says the Biden administration can strengthen the Affordable Care Act by making sure everyone who is eligible for benefits knows how to get them and to reject waivers that reduce coverage.
Anita Hill on the future of equality and the U.S. Supreme Court
Heller News Release
January 20, 2021
In a virtual event attended by nearly 500 people, Professor Hill shared insights on the nation’s highest court and its potential to advance—or thwart—equality under the law.
“Our Liberation is Bound Up Together”
Heller in the News
January 18, 2021
Brandeis Alumni profiles Tammy Tai, MBA'06, who has been named deputy director of King Boston, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King by addressing economic and racial inequities.
HPC on lookout for health insurance merger impacts
Heller in the News
January 14, 2021
In WWLP, Stuart Altman says that the Health Policy Commission will continue to monitor the recent merger between Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for benefits and disruptions to the state's health care system.
Health care commission prepares to review Atrius-Optum deal
Heller in the News
January 14, 2021
In the Boston Business Journal, Stuart Altman says the Health Policy Commission is coordinating with the Massachusetts Attorney General to review a planned acquisition of Atrius Health by Optum.
2020 Middle Eastern and North African American National Security & Foreign Policy Next Generation Leaders
Heller in the News
January 14, 2021
New America has named Negar Mortazavi, MA SID'08, a journalist and political commentator, one of its next generation leaders for national security and foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
What can Biden do to reverse Trump's assault on labor rights?
Heller in the News
January 11, 2021
In the Guardian, David Weil says that under Biden, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration should be much tougher than Trump’s OSHA in holding employers accountable for failing to take steps to minimize COVID-19.
Researcher Optimistic
Heller in the News
January 09, 2021
In the Chronicle Herald, Lewis Novack, MS'18, discusses his work on COVID-19 vaccine trials, how he felt about receiving the vaccine, and his hopes for a single-dose vaccine.
New rule lets companies treat some employees as gig workers
Heller in the News
January 08, 2021
In Marketplace, David Weil says the issue of hiring workers as employees or gig workers is an ongoing issue that will extend into the new Biden administration.
What Grocery Drivers and Fired ER Doctors Have in Common
Heller in the News
January 06, 2021
In Slate, David Weil explains the fissured workplace and how increasingly jobs in fields as disparate as emergency medicine and grocery delivery all rely on contractors rather than employees.
Albertsons is laying off employees and replacing them with gig workers, as app platforms rise
Heller in the News
January 06, 2021
In the Washington Post, David Weil says it's no surprise that companies like grocery store chain Albertson's are choosing to use gig workers rather than hire employees as they try to lower labor costs and decrease basic workplace standards and responsibilities.
Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care complete merger
Heller in the News
January 05, 2021
In the Boston Herald, Stuart Altman says the health care merger could decrease total health care spending in the state while improving quality and access to care, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Why Did More People of Color Vote for Trump?
Heller in the News
January 05, 2021
In the American Prospect, Robert Kuttner discusses why there was a net swing in Latino and Asian voters to Trump in the presidential election, and how Democrats can better reach them in the future.
Reimagining rural public schools for equal and quality education for all
Heller in the News
January 02, 2021
In the Times of India, PhD candidate Tanoj Meshram says India must strive for equality in education among rural and urban schools, which can be achieved through fundamental restructuring of its public school system.