Soraya Ferdman Email & Phone Number

New York, United States

Greater New York City Area

I write and manage content for First Amendment Watch, a news and education site, a project of the Arthur C. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU. We are dedicated to documenting threats on rights of speech, press, assembly, and petition. As a writer, I am particularly interested in how the First Amendment law will come to apply to new technologies, as well as issues of free speech and academic freedom on university campuses.

Greater New York City Area

Worked on a report that dealt with contemporary debates on free speech in higher education. The report covers issues like controversial speakers, new legislation, student attitudes, and academic freedom.

Greater New York City Area

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression worldwide. The organization uses its network of more than 7,200 writers, essayists, playwrights, editors, essayists, and novelists to advocate for free speech issues. In my role as intern, I have worked as a liaison between the department's three directors, helping plan events, coordinate travel, draft petitions, write press statements, and prepare presentations. I have also helped conduct research on campus free speech issues, including online harassment of professors and student attitudes towards censorship.

Greater New York City Area

Mashable's Social Good channel provides news and resources on social impact, activism, philanthropy and world-changing innovation for the digital generation. I produced a number of articles on a wide range of topics over the course of my fellowship.

Providence, Rhode Island Area

The College Hill Independent is a weekly newspaper written, illustrated and designed by students from Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. The newspaper brings together journalistic reporting, creative writing, as well as previews and reviews of upcoming events. While a staff writer, I produced three satirical pieces including "Aw Shucks," "Winter Olympics Served Hot," and "Monkey's Business." I also authored two features, "The Human Gaze" and a "Constructed Divide."

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I worked in the office of Jamie Raskin, then and current U.S. House Representative for the 8th district of Maryland. There, I was trained in the legislative process and congressional procedures. My responsibilities included leading Capitol tours, speaking with constituents, writing legislative correspondences, summarizing policy changes, and researching upcoming legislation.

Trained by site founder, Mary Scherpe, on reviewing food, style, and art in Berlin, Germany.Produced articles and illustrations both as visiting writer and graphic designer.Assisted in managing events and conferences, coordinated product shipment and delivery, researched for advertisement campaigns.

Assisted in running the Brown Political Review, Brown's non-partisan political magazine as part of the publication's executive board. I also led a team of over a dozen illustrators in producing all visual content for the magazine and website. During this time I was able to develop new visual thinking strategies in multiple mediums and styles.

After participating at the club level for four years, I worked as a staff writer for Best Delegate, the world's most popular website on Model United Nations. My articles provided advice on how to navigate debate, improve rhetorical skills, and lead a conference.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History

Activities and Societies: Brown Political Form, Brown Political Review, Model United Nations

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Model Organization of American States, Presidential Scholar Nominee

Semester Abroad, Liberal Arts And Sciences/Liberal Studies

Activities and Societies: Collecting, Curating, Critiquing Early Representations of Nature in the Early Modern World German Language Course