Students Propose State Legislation at ENACT Mock Policy Forum
November 18 and 20, 2025
Students in ENACT Assistant Director of Research Charlotte Powley’s course “Legislation for Change: Research, Policy, and Social Determinants of Health” presented policies they developed to address a problem related to their areas of interest at a two-day ENACT mock policy forum in November.
After learning about the five domains of the social determinants of health, students selected a particular domain they were interested in and conducted further research. Groups of students then came up with new and revised legislative ideas to address a problem related to their areas of interest.
The Mock Policy Forum allowed students the opportunity to present their proposed policies and engage in civil discourse about their ideas with both their peers and members of the broader Brandeis community. One group of students focused on non-consensual pelvic exams, based on Massachusetts State Bill S.1485: An Act providing for safe and consensual sensitive examinations.
Students answered questions from their classmates, other members of the Brandeis community, and legislative staff from State Senator Sal DiDomenico’s office, as they sought to gain support for their proposals for new state legislation. “I was able to not only emphasize my passion for the topic I chose, but also gain such valuable feedback, especially from two members of Massachusetts State Senator Sal DiDomenico’s Office,” said Maya Azoulay ‘27. “I learned a lot about advocating for a bill which will definitely stay with me throughout my career."
(Pictured l-r: Maya Azoulay ‘27, Helena Benhamou Goldfajn ‘27, and Sunny Axelbaum and Ayla Thorntona of State Senator Sal DiDomenico’s Office.)