Sarah Handley-Cousins

Sarah Handley-Cousins is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of History at the University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo), within the College of Arts and Sciences. She specializes in 19th-century U.S. history, focusing on the Civil War and Reconstruction, disability history, gender and sexuality, and the history of medicine. Her research critically examines how disability intersects with military service, memory, and social structures in the post-Civil War North.

Education: PhD (2016), MA (2009) from University at Buffalo; MSEd (2010) from Niagara University; BA (2007) from Wells College.

Research Interests: Dr. Handley-Cousins explores disability in Civil War medicine, the cultural memory of war, and the challenges of documenting marginalized histories. She emphasizes the role of archives in shaping narratives about mental health and disability, advocating for inclusive historical practices.

Her digital projects include founding the podcast DIG: A History Podcast and co-editing Nursing Clio, which amplify underrepresented historical perspectives. Notable publications include Bodies in Blue: Disability in the Civil War North (2019), recognized by the Disability History Association, and co-authored works on Lily Dale’s spiritualist history and disability in America.

Awards: Highlighted achievements include the ACLS Fellowship (2021), a Good History Award for DIG, and recognition for her innovative approaches to public history and disability studies.

Teaching spans courses like ‘Civil War and Reconstruction’ and ‘US Disability History,’ emphasizing interdisciplinary methods. She actively bridges academia with public engagement through podcasts, op-eds, and collaborative editing projects.