Fulbright Commission in Ireland Annual Report 2023
This page: Photo by Brandy - Title tbc
Cover page: Fulbright Scholar Brian Magiure in contact with host in preparation for his Fulbright Award
Cover Image: Fulbright Awardees Dr Nuala Flood, Dr Colette Murray, Dr Angela Butler and Raphael Onwunali.
Photo by Conor McCabe.
DR DARA FITZGERALD
Executive Director, Fulbright Commission in Ireland
“The Fulbright Award and Financial year FY23, from October 1st, 2022, to September 30th, 2023, represented a year of internal change, renewal and some Fulbright magic. It was a challenging year for the Commission as an organisation. As with any small group, personnel changes effect big impacts. Ultimately, this created an opportunity to begin addressing old systems and revamp processes using new perspectives; and the Commission is better positioned now to meet operational, scaling and regulatory requirements.
In the autumn of 2022 Commission Awards Officers spent time in Washington D.C. meeting with Fulbrighters, U.S. Institutions, U.S. State Department colleagues and the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. This stood as an excellent opportunity to renew and strengthen links, post-Covid. October also saw the chance to combine our U.S. Fulbright awardee orientation meeting with the Irish Fulbright Alumni Association ‘welcome home’ event for Irish Fulbrighters who had just completed their time in the U.S. This proved to be a highly enjoyable event; one to be repeated when the prospect next arises.
As the Irish and U.S. Fulbright awards application periods drew to a close in October, the Commission team was busy with webinars, in person events and fielding queries from applicants. This represented a steep but ultimately valuable, learning curve for new team members.
With the creation of five new Technological Universities, an opportunity to advise and integrate the Fulbright value proposition was taken up by myself and the team through meeting with Presidents of the new Technological Universities (TUs). Arising from these meetings over the year, the decision
was made to focus U.S. Specialists applications for TUs.
In early May 2023, I attended a European Fulbright meeting in Prague. Three weeks later I travelled to the first Global Fulbright Executive Director meeting since 2018, in Washington D.C. Presenting a number of times at both events gave me the justification to showcase the Irish Fulbright program and raise important questions about funding, bureaucratic mass index and future-proofing awardee supports.
A very enjoyable Irish Fulbright orientation was held in June, our offices at 85 Merrion Square, again cementing the location as the home of Fulbright in Ireland. Addressing access needs, a busy FLTA orientation was later held in the Aisling hotel, Dublin.
Staff and Board mobility continued during the year, the very capable Dr Ciara O’Hagan joined the Commission providing maternity leave cover from July 2023. Prof. Diane Negra was succeeded as Chair of the Commission Board by Prof. Paul Donnelly.
The impact predicted from the previous year was further expanded by additional internal change, within the Irish and global Fulbright program. We expect this to continue in the next year and relish the opportunities and challenges this will bring. Yet, for me, the proof of success this year is easily and simply measured by the excellence, diversity and energy that existing and new Fulbrighters bring to the program.
PROFESSOR DIANE NEGRA
Chair, Fulbright Commission in Ireland Board
“Guided by a strong sense of mission, Fulbright in Ireland sustained a very active program of activities this year, reinforcing the unique and important role that Fulbright plays in the landscape of Irish higher education. It has been extremely rewarding to continue to provide a broad swathe of outgoing and incoming awards to a set of most deserving recipients. In the June award ceremony, which is the highlight of our year, we celebrated outbound awardees with a ceremony at Deerfield, the beautiful U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in the Phoenix Park.
In a year that saw the full return of so many activities that were suspended during the pandemic we were delighted that Dr Anthony Fauci was awarded the 2022 William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding at a ceremony in Washington, DC. Dr. Fauci exemplifies an unswerving commitment to rigor and has been a resolute figure amidst the politicization of science and emergent radical change in the social conditions under which knowledge is established and circulated. Dr. Fauci’s accomplishments and career remind us that all scientific research is profoundly socially embedded.
Fulbright in Ireland undertakes its work mindful of the specific features that characterize the relationship between Ireland and the U.S. both historically and in the current era. As we look out at a world facing numerous diplomatic, foreign policy, public health and climate challenges, we anticipate that Fulbright scholars will play a significant role in devising responses to these most pressing concerns.
The Irish Fulbright Board benefits from its bilateral constitution with appointments to the Board made by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Ireland. We have been pleased to welcome two new Board members in 2023: Prof. Derek O’Keeffe (University of Galway) and Ms. Ingrid Specht (U.S. Embassy). Their professional experience and expertise undoubtedly enrich our work and expand our capacity. At the end of 2023 Professor Paul Donnelly, who has served so capably as Deputy Chair will take over the role of Chair and I take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to him on his election and my very best wishes. It has been my honor to chair this distinguished and hard-working board.
I thank all those who have undertaken and supported the Commission’s work this year – the reviewers whose knowledge is so instrumental in the selection process, the board members who give generously of their time and knowledge and the U.S. Department of State, the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
This year we were delighted to welcome Ms. Sara West back to the Commission in the role of Awards Officer. She rejoins a team led by Dr. Dara Fitzgerald with deep dedication and skill. I want to extend my appreciation to him and to all the Commission staff and I send my personal good wishes to everyone associated with Fulbright in Ireland. We are looking ahead to another year full of exciting Fulbright events and I hope to see you at many of them.”
BOARD MEMBERS
U.S. MEMBERS
Professor Diane Negra (Chair) Fulbright U.S. Alumna, Professor of Film Studies and Screen Culture, UCD
Ms Ingrid Specht
Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy in Dublin
Ms Thea Gilien
Director, Programmes and Experiential Learning Abroad, Boston College Ireland
Ms Kellee Farmer
Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Dublin
IRISH MEMBERS
Professor Derek O’Keeffe Consultant Physician, University Hospital Galway Professor of Medical Device Technology, University of Galway
Professor Sarah Culloty Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC
Professor Paul Donnelly (Deputy Chair) Fulbright Irish Alumnus, Professor of Management and Organisation Studies, TU Dublin
Ms Marianne Doyle
Head of Internal Communications with An Garda Síochána
Board Members pictured (L-R): Professor Diane Negra, Ms Ingrid Specht, Ms Thea Gilien, Ms Kellee Farmer, Professor Derek O’Keeffe, Professor Sarah Culloty, Professor Paul Donnelly and Ms Marianne Doyle.
Professor Derek O’Keeffe was appointed to the Board by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in February 2023.
Ms. Ingrid Specht was appointed to the Board by U.S. Ambassador Claire D. Cronin in September 2023.
Professor Paul Donnelly is due to take over as Chair of the Board in December 2023.
“An té a bhíonn siúlach, bíonn scéalach.”
- A person who travels has stories to tell.
Seanfhocail - Irish proverb
Hours of Irish taught at U.S. institutions
U.S. students studied the Irish Language
U.S. students sat Irish language exams 856
Fulbright FLTA Niamh Murray at Hanging Rock State Park, North Carolina
2
4
Award 14 Irish HEIs represented by Irish Awardees
Page 6: ‘Jump Into Dublin Bay January 2023’ by 2022-23 Fulbright Awardee Drew Pilant; 2022-23 Fulbright Awardee James Ankrum & Laura Ankrum at Blarney Castle; Page 7: ‘Irish Night at Davidson-Davie Community College International Centre’ by 2022-23 Fulbright FLTA Niamh Murray; ‘Meditating in the sunset at the Horseshoe Bend’ by 2022-23 Fulbright Awardee & 2023 Fulbright photo competition winner Pierpaolo
Dondio.
FULBRIGHT IRISH AWARDEES 2022-23
FULBRIGHT IRISH STUDENTS
Claire Potter Rafferty
Queen’s University Belfast to University of Michigan
Aaron Gallagher
Dublin City University to University Maryland
Kate Haley
Trinity College Dublin to New York University
Conor Hammersley
South East Technological
University to the U.S. Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare
Sponsor: Teagasc
Elizabeth Rose Higgins
University College Dublin to University of Notre Dame
Sponsor: University of Notre Dame
Stephanie Joyce
Maynooth University to University of California, Berkeley
Ross Malervy
Trinity College Dublin to University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Andrew Neill
Trinity College Dublin to Stanford University
Sponsor: EPA
Raphael Onwunali
Dublin City University to University of Chicago
Sponsor: Fulbright-Frederick and Anna Douglass Award
Cathal Ryan Maynooth University to Bethesda University
Aoibhín Sheedy
University of Galway to University of Minnesota
Sponsor: Enterprise Ireland
Ciara Shortiss
University of Galway to the Mayo Clinic
Sponsor: Enterprise Ireland
FULBRIGHT IRISH FLTAS
Cailín Fox
St. Mary’s College Belfast to University of WisconsinMilwaukee
Sarah Gallagher
Trinity College Dublin to Villanova University
Alswyn Hennessy Doyle Maynooth University to Villanova University
Emer Maguire
Dublin City University to College of Our Lady of the Elms
Eimear Millane
St. Mary’s College Belfast to University of Connecticut
Niamh Murray
University College Dublin to Davidson-Davie Community College
Clíodhna Ní Chorráin
Queen’s University Belfast to University of Notre Dame
Eilís O’Herlihy
Mary Immaculate College to University of Montana
Darragh O’Keeffe
University College Cork to University of Montana
Sophie Ryan University of Limerick to The Catholic University of America
FULBRIGHT IRISH SCHOLARS
Ciara Breathnach
University of Limerick to New York University
Robert Conway-Kenny
Trinity College Dublin to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pierpaolo Dondio
Technological University Dublin to University of Chicago
Sharon Feeney
Technological University
Dublin to East Tennessee State University
Nuala Flood
Queen’s University Belfast to Parsons School of Design Sponsor: EPA
Darragh Gannon
University College Dublin to Georgetown University
Ross Gildea
The University of Oxford to Columbia University Sponsor: NUI
John Gilmore
University College Dublin to University of California, S.F. Sponsor: HRB
Sharon Glynn
University of Galway to Cornell University
Clíodhna McHugh
Trinity College Dublin to Harvard Medical School Sponsor: NUI
Jennifer McSharry
University of Galway to City University of New York Sponsor: HRB
Edel Meade
University of Limerick to California Jazz Conservatory Sponsor: Creative Ireland
Ruth Melia
University of Galway to Florida State University
Sponsor: HRB
Colette Murray
Technological University Dublin to Arizona State University Sponsor: NUI
TECHIMPACT SCHOLARS
Moninne Howlett
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Eoin Whelan
University of Galway to University of Colorado
Angela Butler
Intel to University of California, Berkeley
FULBRIGHT U.S. AWARDEES 2022-23
FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENTS
Esther Almazán
Arizona State University to University of Galway
Lucy Dever
Princeton University to University College
Dublin
Justin Laiti
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Margaretta Mitchell
Criswell College to Maynooth University
Kathryn Perrone
Temple University to Dublin City University
Sruthi Ramesh
New York University to University College Cork
Alysia Scott
Tulane University to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Stefan Townes
Indiana University Bloomington to University College Cork
Dove Wimbish
University of South Florida to University of Limerick
FULBRIGHT U.S. SCHOLARS
James Ankrum
University of Iowa to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Tammie Bolling
Pellissippi State Community College to Atlantic Technological University
Benjamin Boone
California State University, Fresno to University of Limerick
Jasmine Burns
Cornell University to the Irish Musuem of Modern Art
Tracy L. Cross
William & Mary to Dublin City University
George Dierberger
Augsburg University to Atlantic Technological University
Ashley Duggan
Boston College to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Andrea Hicks
University of Wisconsin-Madison to University of Limerick
Kristine Himmerick
University of the Pacific to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Brendan Kane
University of Connecticut to Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies
William Lammela
Nazareth College to University College Dublin
Debra Lattanzi Shutika
George Mason University to Atlantic Technological University
James Marcin
University of California-Davis to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Leslie Palich
Baylor University to Dublin City University
Andrew Pilant
United States Environmental Protection
Agency to Trinity College Dublin Sponsor: GSI
Emily Siner
Nashville Public Radio to Maynooth University
Timothy Troy
Lawrence University to University College
Dublin
FULBRIGHT U.S. SPECIALISTS
Amanda Pintore
Arizona State University to Atlantic Technological University
Susan Lillian Bazyk
Cleveland State University to University College Cork
Kerric Harvey
George Washington University to University College Cork
Rachel Yoho
George Mason University to University of Galway
ESTHER ALMAZÁN
Esther Almazán is a theatre artist who earned her MFA in dramatic writing from Arizona State University. She attended the University of Galway on her Fulbright Award.
“My Fulbright-Ireland project, Yaqui & Béaloidis: Yoeme and Irish in Conversation, began in Ireland’s Gaeltacht region, closer to native Irish speakers and Galway’s thriving arts hub. From the United States, I pictured myself in Galway’s center, walking everywhere, living amidst the brilliant theatre world rooted there, enjoying a strong multicultural setting. Instead, I arrived during a housing crisis and couldn’t find lodgings, so I moved to the tiny village of Annaghkeen. Never having lived anywhere rural, I found myself surrounded by sheep and cows, living alone in a small structure, a quarter mile from my nearest neighbor, and happily being embraced by community and friendship. I learned from farmers, who had lived in Annaghkeen for generations, that I was 20 yards from what my neighbors called “the tomb of the Old King,” and near historic ruins along the Lough Corrib. I was even welcomed to volunteer with the Headford Area Theatrical Society, giving weekly acting workshops for my small community. It was better than I could have ever imagined.
I chose my host institution, the University of Galway, because it was in a Gaeltacht region, and because I wanted to connect with Dr. Miriam Haughton, the producer of the Tuam Oral History Theatre Production, Nochtaithe. Based on survivor testimonies from the Tuam Mother and Child Home, it mirrored my Master’s thesis play script, which portrayed the generational trauma
Native American children suffered in the Indian industrial schools. An excellent mentor, Dr. Haughton allowed me to audit classes in the theatre department, and in her wisdom, also connected me with Dr. Nessa Cronin and the Irish Studies department. Studying Irish humanities and history, helped inform my Fulbright-Ireland project, examining the similarities of the Irish and Native American experiences of brutal colonization, and sharing them through theatrical expression.
Partnering with student playwrights, Holly Minogue and Shannon Martin, we wrote Yaqui & Béal: Yoeme and Irish in Conversation and began work with a multi-talented ensemble from the University of Galway. We were honored by our production being selected for the 2023 Galway Theatre Festival and included a post-show discussion panel of Irish industrial school survivors. The discussion, organized for us by Dr. Haughton and Dr. Cronin, was an intensely emotional enhancement for the cast and audience. The festival chose our project to benefit from Dr. Sarah Hoover’s dramaturgical support for further development. With director, Raphaël Adams, we are excited about new opportunities to perform our enhanced production.
Back in the U.S. now, I am working with ChildsPlay Theater, to devise a script for the youth of the Tohono O’odham reservation, in Arizona.”
“From my home in the Sonoran Desert, I joyfully remain in frequent contact with my Irish collaborators from the University of Galway and Headford.”
TAMMIE BOLLING
Dr Tammie Bolling is Discipline Chair and tenured Professor in Business and Computer Technology at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. She completed her Fulbright Award at Atlantic Technological University.
“My Fulbright trek took me to the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Contact was made with Ruth Lennon concerning my draft researcher proposal and request for letter of invitation for my Fulbright application. Ms. Lennon contacted me and from that point, we evolved to become a research team. The main reasons for my Fulbright application to ATU were to experience a different culture, higher education system, teach and complete research based on the use of digital technologies in Ireland.
The ATU structure is very different to PSCC and the community college system in Tennessee. Pellissippi State is the largest community college in Tennessee with a strong focus on providing instruction in various associate degrees in applied science and associate of science transfer programs in cyber defense, programming, computer science and networking. My desire was to work in an applied teaching and research focused environment and with faculty who were teaching using an applied approach. Within the computing department, I worked with Ruth Lennon, Senior Lecturer, Dr. Gerry McWilliams, Assistant Lecturer, Mr. Thomas Dowling, Head of Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Ms. Jade Lyons, Head of Department of Computing. Ms. Lennon provided me with
different learning and participation options to pursue. Mr. Dowling and Ms. Lyons and their team provided me with the opportunity to contribute to the learning and development of students in the Masters and Bachelor programs.
During my time at ATU, the overall team and I have further progressed my proposal and hope to publish our work soon. Aside from this, the networks, and connections that I have made with other international teaching/research groups and industry are incredible. In addition to my active teaching and research, it was very insightful to attend meetings with industry representatives and the senior leadership of ATU to see how the higher education dynamic operates in Ireland. Specifically in the field of cyberpsychology and how industry relies on academia to pursue cutting edge research.
The Fulbright experience also provided the opportunity to explore Ireland. I was able to visit places that we otherwise would not have considered. My family was able to visit for one week and we visited as many locations as possible taking in the entire Irish experience. Highlights include traveling on the Wild Atlantic Way, including visiting Malin Head, Galway, Derry, Donegal Town, Dublin, and Glenveagh. I continue to embrace the opportunities that allow me to collaborate with ATU and other organizations in Ireland.”
“The Fulbright program was a fantastic academic opportunity for me and an amazing Irish experience.”
CIARA BREATHNACH
Prof Ciara Breathnach is Professor of Irish Gender History at University College Cork. She completed her Fulbright Award at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University.
“As a historian of Ireland I was delighted to receive support from Professor Kevin Kenny at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University (NYU) for my Fulbright application in October 2021. Focusing on death and the Irish in New York 1880-1922, I spent most of Fall Semester 2022 at the Municipal Archives. Over the past 20 years the craft of the historian has changed in accordance with advances in mobile phone technology, and thankfully reading room policies have kept pace. This means that users can process much larger quantities of manuscripts, and archive time is spent scanning for later stage analysis. I am still working my way through the content and hope to publish from that body of work soon. On arrival I was completing a co-authored article on sex work in Dublin (1901-1911), and the Seán O’Casey papers at the New York Public Library provided some finishing touches. While my Fulbright was pure research, I am passionate about research-led teaching, and through fabulous colleagues I had the opportunity to meet students during talks at NYU, Fordham University and Boston College. Prior to my departure I contacted the New York Irish Center, Queens, which does wonderful work in supporting the community from cultural, social and legal perspectives. On Wednesdays it hosts lunch for senior citizens, many of whom were among Aer Lingus’ first cohort of transatlantic employees and had absolutely fascinating stories to tell.
History is a physical pursuit and I took the time to visit several museums, galleries and historical sites.
“I revisited Ellis Island where my maternal Grandfather disembarked the Mauretania in April 1911 en route to San Francisco.”
Like many other young European immigrants he went in search of opportunity, but with paid passage on a sturdy ship, $50 in his pocket, and older siblings with established lives at the other side, he was fortunate. Unlike many of his compatriots who died in exile he returned to a life in his native Kerry. One million Irish born are buried in the vastness of Calvary Cemetery in Queens, and I went there to pay my respects. There is a poignancy to retracing ancestral footsteps, and I marvel at the courage of migrants then and now.
While in New York I reminded myself daily to savour every minute. I had a magnificent view of the Empire State Building from the rooftop of the four story ‘walk up’ I lived in. On returning to Ireland, I was struck by the silence, NYC really does not sleep! Apart from ongoing collaborations with colleagues at various American institutions, another lasting part of the experience is the relationships I built with my Fellow Fulbrighters. For me Fulbright evokes the fondest of memories.”
GEORGE DIERBERGER
Dr. George Dierberger is an Associate Professor at Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Dierberger completed his Fulbright Award at Atlantic Technology University.
“My time as a Fulbright Scholar in Ireland was one of the finest professional experiences of my life. My wife and I enjoyed our time at the Atlantic Technological Institute in Letterkenny and we look back on our time in Ireland with fond and wistful memories.
At the Atlantic Institute of Technology (ATU) in Letterkenny, I was very fortunate to work with Dean Michael Margey, Dr. Anne Burke and Dr. Isobel Cunningham on projects centering around. entrepreneurship and innovation. They were kind enough to introduce me to a number of multinational companies in Letterkenny and provide support over the course of my 3 months in Ireland in pursuit of my research around entrepreneurship.
My Irish experience confirmed the value of my entrepreneurial research and study. The end result was the development of a survey that was completed by over 350 Irish entrepreneurs from across the country. We used the data to compare to the results of an entrepreneurial study I completed in the USA in 2019. The paper compares the USA entrepreneurs with their Irish counterparts through the first few stages of entrepreneurship: ideation, brainstorming, vision, mission, value proposition and the motivation for starting a new enterprise. The paper is coauthored by my Irish Colleagues.
Dr. Margey was kind enough to introduce me to the president of the ATU system in Galway. I was invited to present the Fulbright Scholars program to students, faculty and other Fulbright Scholars. Hopefully, I provided inspiration for the next group of Fulbright Scholars from Ireland.
The entire Fulbright team from Ireland was very supportive. They organized a meeting for all of the Fulbright Scholars in Dublin to share their goals for their scholarship and then have a wonderful dinner together to learn more about each other. In late November, we enjoyed the company of Fulbright alumni at another dinner in Waterford at a historic Viking museum over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Building on what I have learned in Ireland, I was able to come back to the USA and start an entrepreneurial program at my home institution, Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The new Auggie cup was started in September of 2023 and resulted in a “shark tank” competition with the winning teams splitting $25,000 in prize money. The Auggie Cup was extremely successful and helped increase institutional investment to the university with a new endowed chair for entrepreneurship.
“My Fulbright journey has left me with fond memories and friendships which will remain embedded in my heart forever.”
My time in Ireland has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of what we can accomplish across oceans and cultures for the benefit of all countries and their citizens. Go Fulbright Scholars!”
CONOR HAMMERSLEY
Dr. Conor Hammersley works in the Department of Public Health and Epidemiology at RCSI. He recently graduated from his PhD programme through the South East Technological University (Carlow). During the final year of his Doctoral studies, Conor attended Columbia University in the City of New York working in the Department of Sociomedical Science and the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH).
“My PhD looked at mental health among the farming community in Ireland, focusing on how evolving sociocultural dynamics influence mental health outcomes and help-seeking behaviour. Building on this, my Fulbright project aimed to expand the scope of my research by conducting a comparative analysis between my work in Ireland and the challenges faced by farmers in Upstate New York.
My host connection with Professor Julie Sorensen, NYCAMH’s Director, initiated through the Teagasc Walsh Scholar Programme in summer 2021. Her insights on human behaviour and interventions for rural occupational groups left a lasting impression. As my Fulbright aspirations materialized, collaborating with Julie, NYCAMH, and its academic ties with Columbia, was the perfect match. This partnership extended to Professor Kim Hopper, specialising in community-based participatory research at Columbia, and Professor Bob Whitaker (pictured), Columbia-Bassett’s Director of Research, focused on
trauma and psychological wellbeing. Their mentorship guided my research, ensuring it contributes to academic knowledge while addressing real-world challenges, emphasising practicality and meaningful impact for communities.
As a welcome break from my PhD studies, and itching some of my other interests, I took a weekly seminar class with one of Ireland’s most celebrated authors, Colm Tóibín, who teaches Joyce’s “Ulysses” at Columbia. Also, taking this class was another Fulbright from Ireland, Ross Gildea, a Sligo native and great friend. Every Tuesday, at midday, for the Spring semester, we – along with 15 others - gathered to read, discuss, and debate Joyce’s masterpiece. This, for sure, was one novel I was not going to tackle on my own. Perhaps it took a Fulbright award, Colm Tóibín, and a group of Ivy League literature enthusiasts to help me decode Leopold Bloom’s escapades around Ireland’s capital on June 16th, 1904.
And last but not least, to the numerous friends with whom I shared campus life and New York’s quirky charms with.
“As I look back on my Fulbright, and ahead to the future, it is undoubtably this circle of friends and the memories shared that will, most of all, stand the test of time.”
Not least due to the inundated photo-memories being shared on our WhatsApp group! I’d highly recommend anyone thinking of applying to Fulbright, to go for it; both personally and professionally, it is an amazing opportunity. Special thanks to all at Fulbright Ireland for making this dream a reality.”
EDEL MEADE
Edel Meade is an award winning vocalist, composer, songwriter, performing artist, recording artist and educator working in the field of jazz, folk and contemporary music. She completed her Fulbright Award at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California.
“I wanted to explore what it means to be a contemporary jazz vocalist from Ireland and how to go about bringing together my Irish heritage with my training as a jazz artist in order to bring deeper levels of meaning to my artistic practice and to push the boundaries of jazz in a radical new direction!
I had been to Berkeley, California in 2015 to attend a week-long Jazz Vocal Intensive at the California Jazz Conservatory, so when it came to applying for the Fulbright, it felt right that I would return to work with Laurie Antonioli, Chair of the vocal program.
As well as taking classes in contemporary jazz vocal performance, blues singing and jazz piano, I had the opportunity to develop and teach a 10-week course, ‘Traditional Irish Singing: A Journey of Ireland Through Song’ and to present guest lectures relating to Irish folklore and mythology for the Celtic Studies program at U.C. Berkeley, the Women’s Spirituality program at CIIS, San Francisco and at the Women and Mythology Conference in Syracuse, New York.
It was amazing to experience jazz and blues as part of the cultural fabric of the U.S. I made so many Black friends
who recognised my passion for the music and who brought me along to attend the Allen Temple Baptist Church with them, for example, to experience gospel music live - I never danced so much in church before! I also gained insight into racism in the U.S. through the eyes of my Black friends. Sadly this is reality for many Black people in the U.S. today.
“I had the experience of a lifetime on my Fulbright. ”
As a direct result, I presented a new performance project exploring the intersection between sean-nós singing and jazz/ blues at the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival in July 2023 in collaboration with a San Francisco-based Dublin musician I met on St. Brigid’s Day!
One of the other most significant connections made was with leading Bay Area vocalist, Rhonda Benin. I was a student in Rhonda’s ‘Jazz Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues’ course and we have since become great friends! She has been beyond generous in inviting me to perform alongside her band at Fior d’Italia, San Francisco - the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S. and at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, an African-American cultural landmark in Oakland. Going forward, we are planning to collaborate on a performance project exploring the intersection between early African-American vocal traditions and Irish vocal traditions. I would also love to record a blues album in the near future now that I have access to some of the best blues musicians in the world!”
RAPHAEL ONWUNALI
Raphael Onwunali was the inaugural FulbrightFrederick & Anna Douglass Awardee. He completed his Fulbright Award at the University of Chicago.
“Prior to embarking on my Fulbright journey, I sought to personally refine myself in terms of academic knowledge, skills, connections, and inspiration. The Award offered an opportunity to transform myself in all possible ways. This ranges from learning completely different and new fields of studies, such as data analysis, calculus, and business electives, to living and adopting to a new system and jurisdiction, composed of varying laws, demographics, and the characteristics. I sought to become an effective force for good, with a great command of policy, law, governance, and business.
I believe that The University of Chicago and I are a match made in heaven. While conducting researching for my thesis at UCL in 2019, I found myself constantly referencing concepts, principles, and arguments coined by renowned UChicago Nobel laureates and academics in the fields of governance, crony capitalism, and regulatory captured. I decided to look into the University and fell in love with my findings. I valued the university’s ingrained principles and characteristics, including the yearning for knowledge, emphasis on debate, multidisciplinary focus, and its objective of developing well rounded future leaders. I believe I have been placed in the right environment, one that has forced me to evolve as a person and a leader.
While the majority of the learning took place in the classroom, I did learn a lot outside the classroom. The unique composition
of Chicago and the USA in general fostered an environment full of diverse perspectives, challenges, and learning opportunities. One which remains parallel to no other. I learned to value things differently such as education, communities, political systems, and the bare necessities, as the systems and way of living differed significantly, impacting how people saw themselves and others.
“My Fulbright Award has transformed my life in every single way.”
My 2 years in the U.S. has equipped me to countless new milestone, new life-long friends, and taken me across the globe and the United States. From meeting Senator Bernie Sanders, the Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason, to attending a discussion involving the Former Vice President of the United States Mike Pence, I have been given the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most prominent leaders and learn form them. I even got to travel across the globe on a class trek to Japan. My Fulbright award has brought me one step closer to achieving my dream.”
FULBRIGHT IRELAND CAMPUS AMBASSADORS
The Fulbright Ireland Campus Ambassador Programme was established in 2016 with the aim of providing on-campus support for Fulbright applicants and partners across the country, and giving the Fulbright programme wider visibility. There are currently 22 Alumni serving as Ambassadors across Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. Pictured above from left to right:
Technological University of the Shannon: Dr Luke Geever
South East Technological University: Trina Rea
Munster Technological University: Dr Michael D. Murphy
Dublin City University: Elizabeth Matthews
Dundalk Institue of Technology: Dr Caroline Sheedy
Atlantic Technological University: Rita Melia
Technological University of the Shannon: Dr Daragh Naughton
Marino Institute of Education:
Jennifer O’Sullivan
Mary Immaculate College: Vicky Brady
Maynooth University: John Brown
National College of Art and Design: Dr Rachel O’Dwyer
University of Galway: Dr Ruth Melia
Queen’s University Belfast: Síobhra Aiken
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland: Dr Helen French
Technological University Dublin: Anne Marie Shier
Trinity College Dublin
Fiona McDermott
Ulster University: Ellen Corbett
University College Cork: Sheena McHugh
University College Dublin:
Lucy Collins
South East Technological University: Dr Anne Graham Cagney
Ambassador for Creative Professionals: Helen O’Donoghue
Discovery Programme, Centre of Archaeology and Innovation Ireland: David Stone
Pictured left: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders with 2022-23 Fulbright Irish Awardee Raphael Onwunali.
FULBRIGHT NEWS
U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SPEAKS AT BALLINA, CO. MAYO
The Fulbright Commission in Ireland Team attended President Joe Biden’s remarks to the people of County Mayo on 14th April at St. Muredach’s Cathedral in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
“Everything between Ireland and America runs deep: our history, our heritage, our sorrows, our future, our friendship, our joys.
But more than anything, hope is what beats in the hearts of all of our people.”
FULBRIGHT U.S. SPECIALIST AWARD 2023
Executive Director Dara FitzGerald, Fulbright U.S. Specialist Amanda Pintore and Fulbright ATU Campus Ambassador Rita Melia (pictured right) at the Ark in October 2023. The Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) was established in 2001 by the U.S. Department of State. Fulbright Specialist Awards allow Irish institutions to bring highly qualified U.S. academics or professionals to Ireland for a period of 2-6 weeks. Susan Lillian Bazyk, Kerric Harvey and Rachel Yoho also received Fulbright Specialist awards in 2023.
FULBRIGHT EUROPEAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MEETING
The Fulbright Program in the Czech Republic hosted a meeting in Prague in May for Executive Directors of European Fulbright Commissions. These conferences are unique opportunities for Executive Directors to immerse themselves in a different place, learn from colleagues and build new partnerships. The impact of the war in Ukraine and a host of different issues were discussed.
IRISH EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Fulbright Commission in Ireland visited the Irish Embassy in Washington, D.C., in May. Deputy Ambassador Orla Keane met with Executive Director Dara Fitzgerald, Awards Program Officer Sara West and Fulbright Awardees.
FULBRIGHT ALUMNI PROJECT FUND
Each year the Commission offers five €1000 grants to support Alumni projects and events with a diversity, equality and inclusion focus. Melinda Heinz, Prof. Jeffrey Dean, Dr Donal Fitzpatrick, Grace Oladipo and Dr Jenifer Schneider received Alumni Project Fund awards in 2022-23.
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FULBRIGHT IRELAND TEAM
Dr Dara Fitzgerald, Executive Director
Paula Melvin, Senior Awards Manager
Annual Expenditure €M
Aoife Drinan, Communications Officer
Sara West, Awards Program Officer
Cecilia Rolfo, Administrative Officer
Pictured (L-R):
Cecilia Rolfo
Paula Melvin
Dara Fitzgerald
Aoife Drinan
Sara West
Fulbright Commission in Ireland 85 Merrion Square South Dublin 2, Ireland TEL: +353 (0)1 6607670 www.fulbright.ie
“The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”
