Undergraduate Fellows in Disability Policy

Alexander Cheetham (he/they) is a junior double majoring in Sociology and Anthropology and minoring in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. On campus, he is the co-president of the Disabled Students’ Network and president of the American Sign Language Club. He also works as a Student Accessibility Support Fellow and is involved with Brandeis Fencing Club, the Brandeis Latinx Student Organization, and Waltham Group. Off campus, he enjoys theater, cooking, and creating wood-burning artwork. Alexander is passionate about disability justice and believes research and policy are key components to achieving that goal. He has a particular interest in intersectionality and multiply marginalized individuals and is excited to pursue this further at Lurie this year!

Sarah Davidson is a senior with a double major in Health: Science, Society and Policy and Psychology, with minors in Anthropology and Social Justice. As a Lurie Fellow, Sarah is excited to research and better understand the intersection between disability policy and the healthcare system. Upon graduation from Brandeis, Sarah is planning on pursuing a Master of Public Health Administration and Management degree, focusing on disability policy and advocacy. She hopes to take a leading role in the field of healthcare and hospital systems, working to ensure access to comprehensive, high-quality care for vulnerable populations. Additionally, on campus Sarah is a Waltham Group Coordinator for Brandeis Buddies. Sarah is eager to speak her mind and act to ensure that those who are most vulnerable receive the care and support they deserve.

Josh Gladstone is a senior at Brandeis majoring in Sociology, with minors in Legal Studies and Social Justice and Social Policy (SJSP). He is extremely excited to be working with the Lurie Institute as a fellow, and is looking forward to learning more about disability studies and strengthening his research skills. Over the summer, Josh worked as an Investigative Intern for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, working to support and advise those experiencing discrimination in employment and housing. On campus and in his free time at Brandeis, Josh has been involved in the peer counseling support group STAR and an Undergraduate Representative for the SJSP department; he also plays for the Men's Ultimate Frisbee Team. Josh is looking forward to his work at the Lurie Institute and is hoping to apply some of these skills to his senior thesis on the intersectionality of race and disability in the Massachusetts legal system.

Max Lerner is a senior majoring in Politics, with minors in Legal Studies; Climate Justice, Science, and Policy; and Social Justice and Social Policy. Disability, healthcare policy, and human rights are among his career interests, so he is thrilled to be working as an undergraduate fellow at the Lurie Institute. On campus, he is a member of the judiciary board of the student union. Outside of academics, he enjoys cooking, baking, and exploring niche esoteric indie music. Max plans to pursue a master's degree in public policy so he can work to advocate for civil rights and social development.

Samantha Shortall is a senior majoring in Health: Science, Society and Policy, and Politics, with a minor in Social Justice and Social Policy. On campus, Samantha is a captain on the Brandeis Varsity Fencing Team and recently she served as a Senator-at-Large at the Brandeis Student Union. She is passionate about public health and health policy, and their intersections with the legislative process. This past summer, Samantha interned in Washington, D.C., at the House of Representatives. She has experience in political campaigning and nonprofit work. Samantha is looking forward to researching parents with disabilities through an intersectional lens.

Ruby Siegel is a senior double-majoring in Education Studies and Sociology, with a minor in psychology. On campus, Ruby is a member of the Brandeis Women’s Varsity Soccer team and a volunteer with Teaching Assistants in Public Schools. She has also been a facilitator with Brandeis Educational Justice Initiative. Ruby is passionate about disability justice and the intersection of K-12 education, race, and disability. She is honored to work as a Lurie Fellow this year and is looking forward to working with and learning from her mentor.