Sam Weiss

Hi, I’m Sam (they/them)! I am in the PhD in Disability Studies program at UIC. Before coming to UIC, I was working as a high school English teacher at a school for dyslexic students in Maryland. My background is in English and Theatre, and I love reading and analyzing stories that center queer, disabled people. Outside of my academic work, I love baking, reading, and hanging out with my cats!

Why did you choose DHD at UIC?
I chose DHD at UIC because I wanted to study disability from multiple perspectives, and I appreciate that the interdisciplinary nature of the program allows me to do that.

What do you want to do with a DHD degree?
I hope to either pursue a career in teaching or work in a Disability Cultural Center!

Research Interests
My research interests are in intersections of queerness, disability, gender, and race in fiction and media, particularly speculative media. I am also interested in accessible and anti-racist pedagogy.

Education
BA, English, Lewis & Clark College, 2017, MA, English, Georgetown University, 2021