UArts is designated a top producer of Fulbright U.S. scholars

On Feb. 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized UArts as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program in the Special Focus Institutions category. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions like UArts value global connection and support members of their campus communities to pursue international opportunities.

One scholar from UArts was selected for a Fulbright award in the 2023–2024 academic year. Critical Studies professor Anna Beresin’s scholarship is being hosted by the University of Sheffield, England, where she is pursuing research on her project “Children’s Makerspaces, Youth Maker Labs, and Adventure Playgrounds in Post-Industrial Sheffield.”

Beresin’s area of speciality is children's folklore and the study of play and creativity. She teaches Critical Studies courses like Analyzing Talk, Folklore and Folk Art, Observing Humans, and Observing Children, and holds two PhDs from the University of Pennsylvania, one in Folklore and the other in the Psychology of Education.

“Our designation as a top-producing special-focus institution for Fulbright scholars underscores the many ways critical study and creative practice intersect at UArts. The global perspectives Fulbright programs provide enrich our students, our faculty, and our community at large,” UArts President Kerry Walk said.

UArts has been home to seven Fulbright grantees since 1965 who have pursued research via the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program. Their work has spanned disciplines and taken them to Japan, Uruguay, New Zealand, India, and beyond.

Former UArts professor Gene Terruso traveled to Masaryk University in the Czech Republic as a Fulbright Scholar. He lectured there on “The American Century on Stage and Screen: History, Literature and Performance” in the 2016–2017 academic year. UArts’ first Fulbright Scholar grantee was professor Bernard Hanson, who conducted history research at the University of Mysore, India, in 1965.

“Fulbright’s Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America’s higher education community. Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow’s global challenges. We congratulate them, and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over,” said Lee Satterfield, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges.