Monika Mitra

Dr. Monika Mitra holds the Nancy Lurie Marks Professorship of Disability Policy at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management, where she also directs the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy. Her work bridges disability policy, public health, and reproductive justice, focusing on healthcare access for disabled individuals, particularly women and parents with disabilities.

Education:

• PhD and MA from Boston University
• MS from Calcutta University
• BSc from Loreto College, Kolkata

Research Interests: Dr. Mitra investigates disparities in sexual and reproductive health, maternal and perinatal outcomes for disabled populations, and systemic barriers in healthcare. She co-leads the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities and the National Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research, translating evidence into policy reforms.

Key Contributions: Her studies highlight intersectional inequities in maternal mortality, contraceptive access gaps, and violence against disabled women. Recent work addresses clinician attitudes toward perinatal care for intellectually disabled patients and housing stability for disabled parents.

Awards:

• 2021 Peg Nosek Award (APHA Disability Section)
• 2021 Gibbs Leadership Prize (Jacobs Institute)
• 2021 Commendation Award (NARRTC)

Advocacy & Grants: Funded by NIH, NIDILRR, HRSA, and CDC, her research drives national policy. She also serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Disability and Health Journal and advises the Lancet Commission on Disability and Health.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Lurie Institute, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance disability-inclusive healthcare systems and parenting rights.