The sixth membership program seminar featured Samuel Thompson, the UK Scholar Program Manager at the US-UK Fulbright Commission, in discussion with:

• Nick Gozik, Dean of Global Education at Elon University
• Joanie Willet, Senior Lecturer at Exeter University and a 2022-23 UK Fulbright Scholar at Virginia Tech
• Daniel Cash, Senior Lecturer at Aston Law School and a 2021-22 Fulbright Scholar at New York University’s Stern Business School

The panellists discussed bringing an international perspective to the classroom, preparing students and colleagues for international experiences, international research collaborations, facilitating student exchanges, and how faculty can engage as ambassadors for their home institutions.

This seminar featured the following three Fulbright alumni, in discussion with Angelia Avricevic, Senior Program Manager with the Awards team at the US-UK Fulbright Commission.

• Ade Solanke, a British playwright and screenwriter, and a lecturer at the University of Greenwich. Ade has received two Fulbright awards to the US – one in 1992 to the University of Southern California, and a 2022-23 award to Emerson College in Boston
• Kermit Davis, a Professor at the University of Cincinnati who received a 2021-22 Fulbright Scholar award to Loughborough University
• Dianne Morrison-Beedy, a Professor at the Ohio State University who received a 2016-17 Fulbright Scholar award to Edinburgh-Napier University and is the recipient of two Fulbright Specialist awards in the Czech Republic and Norway

This seminar featured Mr Anthony Koliha, Director for the Office of Global Educational Programs at the US Department of State, in discussion with Jessica McIvor, the US Scholars Program Manager at the US-UK Fulbright Commission. Mr Koliha discussed US federal government international education policies, the types of funding available to US students for study abroad, barriers to study abroad, and his advice related to international engagement strategies.

This seminar featured an overview of the Fulbright Specialist Program, facilitated by Jessica McIvor, the US Scholars Program Manager at the US-UK Fulbright Commission. The Fulbright Specialist Program provides funding for short-term collaborative projects with a leading US academic or professional. Jessica welcomed Donna Graves, an independent public historian from the US and a recent Fulbright Specialist to the University of Essex; Alix Green, the Director of the Centre for Public History at the University of Essex; and Sarah Lloyd, from the Institute of Historical Research. Donna, Alix, and Sarah collaborated on a Fulbright Specialist project on the impact of climate change on the heritage sector that brought Donna to the University of Essex in May 2022.

This seminar featured a one-on-one discussion between Maria Balinska, the Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, and Gregory Fenves, the President of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout President Fenves’s distinguished career in US higher education, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing faculty development, interdisciplinary research, diversity and inclusion, and access and affordability. Creating greater educational opportunities for talented students of all backgrounds.

This seminar featured three representatives from US universities who also serve as Fulbright Program Advisors (FPAs). FPAs promote the Fulbright US Student program on their campuses and also guide applicants throughout the application process, including helping them to narrow down which program will best fit their interests.