Public Policy Organization Demos Announces Addition of Three Fellows

NEW YORK—Today, the public policy organization Demos announced the addition of three Senior Fellows whose work spans the areas of consumer protection, domestic family policy and global public health. While working on major research and writing projects, the new fellows will also be regular contributors to Demos' newly launched blog, www.policyshop.net

Senior Fellow Devin Fergus is finishing his second book, Land of the Fee: The Decline of the Middle Class and the Making of the New Financial World Order. Devin's book exposes the rise of hidden consumer finance fees and their impact on the wealth gap in America. Devin’s book also serves as the basis for a documentary film being co-produced by the award-winning Rubicon Film Productions. The documentary examines why those on America’s frontlines defending democratic capitalism -- i.e. working people!! -- are often singled out to pay the highest consumer finance fees. Devin writes widely on politics, policy, and inequality.

Senior Fellow Sharon Lerner is a journalist focusing on family policy in the US, including work-life balance, education, health equity and other pressing issues. Sharon’s first book, The War on Moms: On Life in a Family-Unfriendly Nation (Wiley, 2010), put a human face on this country's (anti)family policy. NPR called Sharon's book “a stinging account of how public policy and private businesses have failed to adapt to working mothers.” At Demos, Sharon is writing her second book, Chutes and Ladders: Learning from the Best – and Worst – Places to Raise Children in America.

As a Fellow, Abdul El-Sayed will focus on health policy questions in the US and globally, with a particular focus on disease prevention in light of epidemiologic trends and emerging public health challenges. Abdul graduated with a BS (highest distinction) in biology and political science from the University of Michigan in 2007. He was named a Rhodes Scholar in 2009, completing a DPhil in Public Health at Oxford University in 2011. Abdul is a social epidemiologist and physician-in-training at Columbia University. He seeks to tackle equity issues in health care, writing for mainstream audiences.

"I’m delighted to welcome Devin Fergus, Sharon Lerner, and Abdul El-Sayed to the Fellows Program at Demos," said Demos President Miles Rapoport. "They bring with them an exciting combination of academic experience in our areas of focus and expertise in subjects that we have yet to explore as an organization. I have great expectations and high hopes for their projects and contributions to Demos."

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