Alexa, Founder & Editor
I’m Alexa, the Founder and Editor of Novel Hand. I graduated from Vanderbilt University with degrees in Political Science, Economics and Spanish. During college, I interned at nonprofits like International Justice Mission. Nothing is more important to me than Jesus and my family, although I do love coffee. At Novel Hand, I’m specifically interested in learning more about topics related to justice and poverty. You can reach me at alexa[at]novelhand[dot]com and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Angel, Creative Director
Hey hey! I’m Angel, the Creative Director behind Novel Hand. I graduated in May 2020 from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Economics, and I am now a professional wedding and portrait photographer based in Nashville (check out www.angelpatricia.com). You can probably find me editing photos at a coffee shop, sippin’ a chai latte, and listening to a podcast.
Grace, Refugees & Immigration Editor
Hi, I’m Grace! I’m the Refugees & Immigration Editor for Novel Hand. Currently, I am a graduate student in the Political Science Department at Vanderbilt University, where I study international relations, human migration, and civilian behavior in conflict. My goal as an editor and contributor for Novel Hand is to share hopeful stories about the local solutions that we can offer to pressing global problems. Outside of Novel Hand and my classes, I am a passionate researcher, volunteer, advocate, hiker, and plant enthusiast! If you want to chat, collaborate, or learn more about my passions and projects, you can contact me at grace.adcox@gmail.com.
Emma F, Environment & Sustainability Editor
Hey! I’m Emma, and I’m the Environment and Sustainability Editor here at Novel Hand. I’m a junior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Political Science and Earth and Environmental Sciences. My work focuses on the intersection between environmental concerns and humanitarian issues such as justice, health, and poverty. When I’m not studying in a library somewhere, you’ll find me out running, climbing a rock wall, or listening to every genre of music under the sun. If you have questions, ideas, or just want to chat, feel free to contact me at emma.fagan@vanderbilt.edu!
Erika, Science & Technology Director
I’m Erika, and I’m a contributor to Novel Hand. I’m a senior at Brown University majoring in Computer Science, although I also study Applied Math, Economics, and Arabic. My interests lie at the intersections of these fields, where tools such as data science and machine learning can be applied to complex interdisciplinary problems in healthcare, natural language processing, and more. I plan to cover topics such as corporate social responsibility, the impact of humanitarian hackathons, how social enterprises use modern tools like machine learning, and more. As someone who’s passionate about data-driven work, entrepreneurship, and altruism, I’m excited to explore the intersection of these areas and how they relate to our generation.
Katherine, Nonprofit Director
My name is Katherine, and I am thrilled to join the Novel Hand team as a contributor. I graduated from the University of Minnesota and will start my Masters this fall. I hope to be able to continue to educate myself and others about this human trafficking and explore possible solutions. I also intend to explore other humanitarian issues such as refugee crises and homelessness.
Shareen, Activism & Advocacy Director
I am a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I am majoring in Public Policy and Political Science and minoring in Spanish. I am super excited to think and write about people and policy-oriented solutions related to Racial Justice, Refugees & Immigration, Education, and Health. Aside from writing for Novel Hand, I am a lover of music, traveling, art, cooking, sleeping, and human connection.
Katie, Policy Director
I’m Katie, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where I received a BS in Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies. At Novel Hand, I hope to explore intersections between race, gender, and education as they appear in the United States. In my free time, I love to read, ski, and take walks with my dog.
Hannah, Social Enterprise & Business Director
I am currently a senior at Vanderbilt University studying Human & Organizational Development with minors in Business and Psychology. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, reading and eating lots of dessert! I’m really looking forward to being able to help Novel Hand take the vision to be the intersection between activism and impact and grow that into a sustainable business to reach a large audience.
Niharika, Impactfull Product Manager
I’m from Falls Church, Virginia and I’m a sophomore at the University of Virginia. While I’m undecided about my major, I’m considering studying Math and Economics. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors, reading novels, and discovering new music. I’m looking forward to helping Novel Hand grow and reach larger audiences to really strengthen and maximize the impact that the team’s voices can have. I also hope to educate and further dedicate myself to the integral issues raised by the organization.
Annabelle, Contributor
Hey, I’m Annabelle and I’m a contributor to Novel Hand! I am a senior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Law, History and Society, as well as Sociology and minoring in English. As a contributor, I am super excited to be learning more about and sharing my knowledge on a variety of issues, including domestic violence, the criminal justice system, and the immigrant community. Aside from Novel Hand and classes, I am passionate about music, I love hiking and being anywhere near the water (not ideal for Tennessee, I know), and advocacy. If you ever want to chat or collaborate, feel free to email me at annabelle.r.mirhashemi@vanderbilt.edu!
Anusha, Contributor
My name is Anusha, and I am a contributor here at Novel Hand. I am a third year at Vanderbilt University, where I am on the pre-med track and double majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society and Molecular and Cellular Biology. As a contributor, I am looking forward to learning more about and sharing my knowledge on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, health(care) disparities, policies, and social determinants of health. I am also interested in exploring how the complex interplay between economic, political, and social factors influences patient health and experiences within our healthcare system. When I’m not studying or (unintentionally) napping, you can find me out dancing, running, or volunteering. Please feel free to reach out to me at anusha.srivastava@vanderbilt.edu if you want to chat or collaborate!
Shoshanah, Contributor
I’m Shoshanah, a recent graduate of Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where I received a B.A in Politics and minors in Legal Studies, Social Justice & Social Policy, and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. At Novel Hand, I hope to explore how poverty affects access to and engagement with the legal system, as well as the intersections between race, gender, and the law. In my free time, I love to go on walks & hikes, cook new recipes, and read good books.
Delia, Contributor
I am from Columbus, Ohio and am a junior at Wheaton College, Massachusetts studying Environmental Science and Sociology. I love learning about the natural world from an ecological perspective, but at Novel Hand, I want to explore holistic ways to remedy environmental degradation through also addressing social issues like gender and racial inequity, poverty, and hunger. When not tied up with school, I am likely working in my garden, birding, or tending to my sourdough starter and SCOBY.
Novel Hand Alumni
Jackie, Contributor
I’m a mission-driven freelance writer currently living in Nashville, TN. I’m passionate about solutions-oriented pieces that educate on the climate crisis and provide actionable ways for individuals to participate. At Novel Hand, my focus is unearthing the connections between the coffee industry, poverty, and climate change. I graduated from Dickinson College in 2017 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a certificate in Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Prior to living in Nashville, I worked in the nonprofit world in Washington, D.C. for Ashoka and the National Building Museum.
Emma S, Contributor
My name is Emma Stapleton, and I am a contributor at Novel Hand. I recently graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in public policy (criminal justice focus) and am now working at a legal aid organization in Chicago in my gap year before law school. My main interests are in criminal justice policy (hence my college degree) specifically as relates to juvenile law, capital punishment, money bail, expungements and sealings, and more. As a contributor, I mainly focus on criminal justice issues and what I’ve learned from the Chicago and Nashville advocacy communities. That being said, I am always excited to learn new things, so if you ever have questions or subjects you wish me to explore, feel free to hit my line at emma.v.stapleton@vanderbilt.edu.
Emma D, Contributor
I’m Emma Dahill, a Novel Hand contributor and a senior at Vanderbilt University. I am majoring in Political Science; Medicine, Health, and Society; and History of Art. And I’m thrilled to be a part of Novel Hand! I am passionate about public health and access to healthcare, both in the U.S. and around the world. I am most interested in examining social forces that determine health outcomes – I’m constantly pushing to understand the ways in which forces intersect, whether at the joining of health and politics, society and injustice, or human rights and foreign policy.
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Interested in joining our team? See our openings.