EDUCATION
MPhil (Ph.D ABD), Sociology, New School for Social Research, 2019
Concentration: Sociology of Disability; Sociology of Media; Feminist Theory; Biopolitics
M.A., Sociology, New School for Social Research, 2009—2011
Concentration: Sociology of Culture; Sociology of Media
B.A., Anthropology and Sociology, cum laude, Wells College, 2001—2005
Concentration: Cultural Anthropology Minor: Book Arts
Thesis: Rhetorical Strategies for Kanaka Maoli Cultural Revitalization
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Disability Theory; Feminist Theory; Media Theory; Biopolitics; Sociology of Disability
RESEARCH INSTITUTES
Democracy and Diversity Institute: Transregional Center for Democratic Studies
Johannesburg, South Africa, January 2013
Democracy and Diversity Institute: Transregional Center for Democratic Studies
Wroclaw, Poland, July 2010
Experiential Learning in Hawai’i (Ethnography Workshop) via Wells College and Ithaca College
O’ahu and Big Island of Hawai’i, December 2004—January 2005
Advanced Studies in England at University College, Oxford
Bath, United Kingdom, August—December 2003
RESEARCH & EDITING EXPERIENCE
Research Consultant and Program Associate, Cora Group Inc., November 2013—Present
Post Editor, Public Seminar, January 2014 – May 2014
Copyeditor for online intellectual forum
Copyeditor, Joel Whitebook PhD, December 2013 – May 2014
Copyeditor for Prof. Joel Whitebook’s upcoming book on the intellectual biography of Freud
Subcontract, United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Researcher for Disability Rights Publication on Post-2015 Development Issues, Summer 2013
Intern, United Nations Development Programme
Researcher for UN Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Summer 2012
Research Assistant, New School for Social Research
Terry Williams PhD, Professor of Sociology, Fall 2012 & Fall 2011
Jeffrey Goldfarb, PhD, Michael E. Gellert Professor of Sociology, Fall 2011, Spring 2013, & Spring 2014
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Spring 2013
“Immortality & Immorality: Stem Cells and Social Justice”
Katayoun Chamany, PhD, Associate Professor of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Grader, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Spring 2013
“Introduction to Media Studies”
Pooja Rangan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Culture and Media
Teaching Assistant, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Spring 2012
“Introduction to Media Studies”
Trebor Scholz, PhD, Chair of MobilityShifts and Director of The Politics of Digital Culture
Teaching Assistant, New School for Social Research, Fall 2011
“Ethnography Field Methods”
Terry Williams, PhD, Professor of Sociology
Teaching Assistant, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Fall 2011
“Introduction to Media Studies”
Deborah Levitt, PhD, Assistant Professor of Culture and Media
PUBLICATION
Keogh, Mary & Ariel Merkel (2013), “Toward an Inclusive and Accessible Future for All: Voices of Persons with Disabilities on the Post-2015 Development Framework,” United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, New York: United Nations Press
Merkel, Ariel (2011), “In Death as in Life: Stigma In and Beyond an American Total Institution,” Sociological Blog www.DeliberatelyConsidered.com
PRESENTATIONS
“Reproductive Technologies, Disabled Fetuses, and Women with Disabilities,” (April 2013)
Paper presented at the Annual New School for Social Research Sociology Conference: the Politics of Materiality, New York, New York
“‘Didn’t You get Amnio?’ and ‘But is She Fit for Motherhood?’: Biopolitics of Reproduction and the Disabled,” (February 2013)
Paper presented at The New School for Social Research Biopolitics Symposium, New York, New York
“Public and Private Space in the City,” (August 2012)
Guest Lecture at The New School University Orientation, New York, New York
“Disability: A Unifying Phenomena,” (March 2012)
Paper presented at the Annual New School for Social Research Sociology Conference: Locating Solidarity, New York, New York
“Rhetorical Strategies for Kanaka Maoli Cultural Revitalization,” (October 2005)
Paper presented at the 53rd Annual Conference of the New York State Sociological Association, Aurora, New York
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Project Fellow for the Future of Disability Studies at Columbia University’s Center for the Critical Analysis of Social Difference, 2011—2014
New School for Social Research Scholarship, 2011—2014
Henry Wells Scholar, Wells College, 2001
AWARDS & HONORS
Distinction in Sociology and Anthropology, Wells College, 2005
Carter A. Woods Prize for Sociology/Anthropology, Wells College, 2005
Cum Laude, Wells College, 2005
Dean’s List, Wells College, 2001—2005
Phi Beta Kappa Xi of New York, Wells College, 2005
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2005
Kathryn S. Maloney Senior Scholar Athlete Award, Wells College, 2005
Most Valuable Player, Wells College Women’s Lacrosse Team, 2005
Captain, Wells College Women’s Lacrosse Team, 2004-2005
Rookie of the Year, Wells College Women’s Lacrosse Team, 2001
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Elected Student Member of Social Justice Committee, The New School University, 2013—2014
Elected Speaker (President) of NSSR Graduate Faculty Student Senate (GFSS), 2011—2012
Elected Student Representative for NSSR Sociology Department, 2010—2011
Elected Sociology Student Representative for GFSS, 2010—2011
Elected GFSS Representative for NSSR Executive & Budget Committee, 2010—2011
Student Representative on the NSSR Dean’s Advisory Council, 2010—2011
Wells College Activist Symposium, Organizing Committee, 2005
DISABILITY SERVICE
Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Board of Elections in the City of New York, October 2016 - Present
Disability Integration Advisor, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), March 2016 - October 2016
Consultant, United Nations (UN) Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Summer 2013 & Summer 2015
Student Disability Services Program Assistant, The New School University, June 2011 – October 2016
Program Administrator of Residential Facilities, People Inc., October 2007 – July 200
Medicaid Service Coordinator, People Inc., December 2006 – October 2007
Direct Care and Team Leader, People Inc., July 2005—December 2006
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Sociological Association
REFERENCES
Excellent reference upon request.
MPhil (Ph.D ABD), Sociology, New School for Social Research, 2019
Concentration: Sociology of Disability; Sociology of Media; Feminist Theory; Biopolitics
M.A., Sociology, New School for Social Research, 2009—2011
Concentration: Sociology of Culture; Sociology of Media
B.A., Anthropology and Sociology, cum laude, Wells College, 2001—2005
Concentration: Cultural Anthropology Minor: Book Arts
Thesis: Rhetorical Strategies for Kanaka Maoli Cultural Revitalization
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Disability Theory; Feminist Theory; Media Theory; Biopolitics; Sociology of Disability
RESEARCH INSTITUTES
Democracy and Diversity Institute: Transregional Center for Democratic Studies
Johannesburg, South Africa, January 2013
Democracy and Diversity Institute: Transregional Center for Democratic Studies
Wroclaw, Poland, July 2010
Experiential Learning in Hawai’i (Ethnography Workshop) via Wells College and Ithaca College
O’ahu and Big Island of Hawai’i, December 2004—January 2005
Advanced Studies in England at University College, Oxford
Bath, United Kingdom, August—December 2003
RESEARCH & EDITING EXPERIENCE
Research Consultant and Program Associate, Cora Group Inc., November 2013—Present
Post Editor, Public Seminar, January 2014 – May 2014
Copyeditor for online intellectual forum
Copyeditor, Joel Whitebook PhD, December 2013 – May 2014
Copyeditor for Prof. Joel Whitebook’s upcoming book on the intellectual biography of Freud
Subcontract, United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Researcher for Disability Rights Publication on Post-2015 Development Issues, Summer 2013
Intern, United Nations Development Programme
Researcher for UN Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Summer 2012
Research Assistant, New School for Social Research
Terry Williams PhD, Professor of Sociology, Fall 2012 & Fall 2011
Jeffrey Goldfarb, PhD, Michael E. Gellert Professor of Sociology, Fall 2011, Spring 2013, & Spring 2014
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Spring 2013
“Immortality & Immorality: Stem Cells and Social Justice”
Katayoun Chamany, PhD, Associate Professor of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Planned and led independent discussion section of approximately 25 students
- Contributed to disability module of syllabus
- Reviewed and graded writing assignments, midterm and final exam
- Facilitated and moderated simulated symposium of the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit
Grader, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Spring 2013
“Introduction to Media Studies”
Pooja Rangan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Culture and Media
- Reviewed and graded writing assignments, research papers, midterm and final exam
Teaching Assistant, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Spring 2012
“Introduction to Media Studies”
Trebor Scholz, PhD, Chair of MobilityShifts and Director of The Politics of Digital Culture
- Planned and led independent discussion section of approximately 20 students
- Reviewed and graded writing assignments, research papers, midterm and final exam
Teaching Assistant, New School for Social Research, Fall 2011
“Ethnography Field Methods”
Terry Williams, PhD, Professor of Sociology
Teaching Assistant, Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, Fall 2011
“Introduction to Media Studies”
Deborah Levitt, PhD, Assistant Professor of Culture and Media
- Planned and led independent discussion section of approximately 20 students
- Reviewed and graded writing assignments, research papers, midterm and final exam
PUBLICATION
Keogh, Mary & Ariel Merkel (2013), “Toward an Inclusive and Accessible Future for All: Voices of Persons with Disabilities on the Post-2015 Development Framework,” United Nations Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, New York: United Nations Press
Merkel, Ariel (2011), “In Death as in Life: Stigma In and Beyond an American Total Institution,” Sociological Blog www.DeliberatelyConsidered.com
PRESENTATIONS
“Reproductive Technologies, Disabled Fetuses, and Women with Disabilities,” (April 2013)
Paper presented at the Annual New School for Social Research Sociology Conference: the Politics of Materiality, New York, New York
“‘Didn’t You get Amnio?’ and ‘But is She Fit for Motherhood?’: Biopolitics of Reproduction and the Disabled,” (February 2013)
Paper presented at The New School for Social Research Biopolitics Symposium, New York, New York
“Public and Private Space in the City,” (August 2012)
Guest Lecture at The New School University Orientation, New York, New York
“Disability: A Unifying Phenomena,” (March 2012)
Paper presented at the Annual New School for Social Research Sociology Conference: Locating Solidarity, New York, New York
“Rhetorical Strategies for Kanaka Maoli Cultural Revitalization,” (October 2005)
Paper presented at the 53rd Annual Conference of the New York State Sociological Association, Aurora, New York
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Project Fellow for the Future of Disability Studies at Columbia University’s Center for the Critical Analysis of Social Difference, 2011—2014
New School for Social Research Scholarship, 2011—2014
Henry Wells Scholar, Wells College, 2001
AWARDS & HONORS
Distinction in Sociology and Anthropology, Wells College, 2005
Carter A. Woods Prize for Sociology/Anthropology, Wells College, 2005
Cum Laude, Wells College, 2005
Dean’s List, Wells College, 2001—2005
Phi Beta Kappa Xi of New York, Wells College, 2005
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2005
Kathryn S. Maloney Senior Scholar Athlete Award, Wells College, 2005
Most Valuable Player, Wells College Women’s Lacrosse Team, 2005
Captain, Wells College Women’s Lacrosse Team, 2004-2005
Rookie of the Year, Wells College Women’s Lacrosse Team, 2001
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Elected Student Member of Social Justice Committee, The New School University, 2013—2014
Elected Speaker (President) of NSSR Graduate Faculty Student Senate (GFSS), 2011—2012
Elected Student Representative for NSSR Sociology Department, 2010—2011
Elected Sociology Student Representative for GFSS, 2010—2011
Elected GFSS Representative for NSSR Executive & Budget Committee, 2010—2011
Student Representative on the NSSR Dean’s Advisory Council, 2010—2011
Wells College Activist Symposium, Organizing Committee, 2005
DISABILITY SERVICE
Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Board of Elections in the City of New York, October 2016 - Present
Disability Integration Advisor, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), March 2016 - October 2016
Consultant, United Nations (UN) Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Summer 2013 & Summer 2015
Student Disability Services Program Assistant, The New School University, June 2011 – October 2016
Program Administrator of Residential Facilities, People Inc., October 2007 – July 200
Medicaid Service Coordinator, People Inc., December 2006 – October 2007
Direct Care and Team Leader, People Inc., July 2005—December 2006
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Sociological Association
- Disability and Society Section Member
- Race, Gender and Class Section Member
- Sociology of Culture Section Member
REFERENCES
Excellent reference upon request.