Nicole Samuel

Associate Research Scientist, Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, Brandeis University

Nicole Samuel is an associate research scientist at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies (CMJS) at Brandeis University, where she has worked since 2005. She is CMJS’s lead qualitative researcher, with extensive experience studying Jewish education and Jewish institutions and organizations.

Her recent work has focused on Jewish college students and campus professionals. She was lead author of Campus Voices (2024), which examined how campus climate after October 7 affected the day-to-day lives of Jewish students. She also co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Jewish Education on antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus after October 7. She currently leads the ongoing evaluation of Hillel International’s Springboard Fellowship. Her previous research includes studies of synagogue life and leadership, Jewish retreating, innovation in JCCs, teen engagement, and Jewish life and Israel education at overnight camp. She holds an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Women’s Studies from Brandeis.