The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University

10/28/2026

📆 Next Tuesday, November 3: Cynthia Tschampl, Senior Scientist at the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy and Research, will be speaking at "Effects of Hunger and Nutrition for Patients with Tuberculosis (TB),” a panel event hosted by Brandeis Partners in Health Engage.

During the conversation, Tschampl and fellow panelists will explore the intersection of tuberculosis, hunger, and nutrition. Whether you’re interested in medicine, global health, research, or health advocacy, this is an opportunity to hear directly from experts and make valuable connections!

The event will take place from 6:00-8:30 p.m. in the Zinner Forum. Hope to see you there!

10/27/2026

As a guest on the “Is Business Broken?” podcast, a production of WBUR and the BU Questrom School of Business, David Weil, Samuel F. and Rose B. Gingold Chair in Human Development at Heller, discusses the evolution of the gig economy. During the episode, Weil and fellow speakers debate whether gig work is creating a fundamentally new way of working, or simply a new way for companies to organize labor.

Listen to the episode here ⬇

10/26/2026

November is for networking! ⛳

Join us on Wednesday, November 4, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Puttshack Boston (Seaport) to expand your network, reconnect with fellow Heller alumni, and par-tee together!

With many colleagues in town for the APPAM conference, it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up, make new connections, and enjoy a fun evening right here in Boston. We hope to see you there!

Learn more and RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4BqpzAo

10/22/2026

Register today to attend the Boston Public Health Commission Grand Rounds next Thursday, October 29! ⬇

📆 Next Thursday, October 29: Boston Public Health Commission Grand Rounds, the inaugural citywide conversation for the health of Boston, will launch with a virtual event featuring Boston Public Health Commissioner Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams.

The inaugural public conversation will focus on Boston’s urgent public health priorities, Boston’s Live Long and Well agenda, and this moment in public health locally and nationally.

Learn more and register to attend here: https://bphc-org.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/5lZwQ0f-Rr64k3PfwHkNBQ

10/22/2026

Considering a career in international development? 🌎

Join us today at 1:00 p.m. in Heller G051 for a conversation with Martha Morales, MA SID’08, about navigating a career in international development.

Over the past two decades, Martha has built a diverse career spanning government, consulting, and nonprofit sectors. She currently works in advocacy at International Justice Mission (IJM), focusing on strengthening justice systems and addressing issues such as violence against women.

Come hear about Martha’s career journey and gain insights into opportunities in international development!

Learn more and register to attend here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/2044791/share_preview

10/21/2026

Save the date for Coffee with the Deans next Tuesday, October 27! ⬇

🗓️ Next Tuesday, October 27: The SSSP community is invited to a spooktacular Coffee with the Deans, full of treats and no tricks! 👻 Enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold c***r, and fall snacks, plus a "make-your-own treat bag" to go! Drop in and say hello from 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. in the Zinner Forum.☕

10/20/2026

In The Boston Globe, Robert Kuttner, Meyer and Ida Kirstein Professor in Social Planning and Administration at Heller, argues that project labor agreements should be used for the new Sagamore Bridge because they promote fair wages, worker safety, and timely, cost-effective construction while protecting unions and supporting middle-class economic stability.

Read his op-ed here ⬇

Opponents argue that PLAs raise costs. But the increased benefits — bringing in a project safely, professionally, on time, and on budget — justify them.

10/19/2026

The Heller School is proud to be a part of the School of Social Sciences and Social Policy at Brandeis University. Our top-ranked graduate programs are preparing the next generation of changemakers to lead with evidence-based knowledge, inspired by social justice.🎓

Brandeis offers rigorous programs through four schools, combining the strengths of a liberal arts education with professional preparation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

10/15/2026

Next Wednesday, October 21: Join the Lurie Institute for the third session of their virtual convening, “Ensuring the Future of Direct Care Supports for People with Disabilities: Combating the Workforce Crisis.” During the event, Professor Daivd Weil and fellow expert speakers will discuss the topic “Big-Picture Solutions and Cross-Sector Strategies.”

Learn more about the series and register for session 3 here: TinyURL.com/DCWconvening

Meet the speakers for Session 3, ‘Big-Picture Solutions and Cross-Sector Strategies,’ of our upcoming Virtual Convening, 'Ensuring the Future of Direct Care Supports for People with Disabilities: Combating the Workforce Crisis!'

Moderators 💬
Serena Lowe: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AnereS Strategies
Syd Pickern: Project Manager, Community Living Policy Center, The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy

Panelists 🎤
David Weil: Samuel F. and Rose B. Gingold Chair in Human Development and Economics, Brandeis University
Lisa Harootunian: Managing Director, Health Policy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center
Jake McDonald: Senior Policy Advocacy Specialist, PHI
Maura Porcelli: Senior Director of Workforce, National Council on Aging
Sue Swenson: President, INCLUSION INTERNATIONAL

Learn more about the series and register for this session happening on 10/21/26 from 1-2:30: TinyURL.com/DCWconvening

About the session:
This session will explore strategies to expand and diversify the direct care workforce, including engaging early and younger retirees, as well as recent graduates, and exploring public/private partnerships in which vocational programs and community colleges serve as pipelines into direct support professional (DSP) roles. The session will include an overview of potential immigration programs designed to recruit and retain DSPs and other caregivers and explore technology-enabled strategies to strengthen recruitment, retention, and job quality in the direct care workforce.

Accessibility:
We will have live American Sign Language interpretation and closed captions. For any other accommodations, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
The webinar will be recorded and made available on our website and YouTube channel following the webinar.

This series is produced by the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, in partnership with the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center, and with support from the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.

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Image description: Logos for the Nancy Lurie Marks Foundation, The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University’s Heller School, and the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center. Icons for ASL and closed captioning are visible indicating it will be available during the webinar.


The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University

10/14/2026

The Institute on Healthcare Systems at Heller recently introduced the US and Massachusetts Social and Health Policy Datasets, resources generated through projects led by Professor Rajan Sonik at the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy and Research. Explore the datasets to access free, publicly available data on policy and empirical indicators across public health, health care delivery, social welfare, and economics from 2019–2025 here. ⬇

To download the datasets, please submit the Download Request Form. If you have questions, please email [email protected].