The University of Iowa (UI) is pleased to announce that Claire Fox, professor of English in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Alberta, Canada, for the 2024-25 academic year.

Fox is among over 800 U.S. citizens who will conduct research and/or teach abroad for the 2024-25 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Fulbright scholars engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Fulbright alumni include 61 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and 40 who have served as a head of state or government.

For her Fulbright project, Fox will conduct research at museums and heritage sites in Canada associated with the extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas. Additionally, she plans to deepen her expertise in Canadian literature and cultures through an affiliation with the Modern Languages and Cultural Studies department at the University of Alberta.

“I look forward to participating in the life of the university and sharing my research with others,” said Fox. “My findings will contribute to a book about innovative open-air museums and cultural destinations that emerged in the Americas beginning in the 1960s. Today, these are important places for shaping public understanding of contemporary issues such as global warming, land use, and energy consumption.”

Fox teaches courses in literature and cultures of the Americas, including Canadian literature, at Iowa. Through her Fulbright residency, she hopes to enrich her knowledge of literature from the Canadian Prairie provinces, a region that is underrepresented in her syllabi. In addition to strengthening institutional ties between the University of Alberta and the University of Iowa, she also hopes to develop ongoing exchange and collaboration with Canadian scholars and artists working in her areas of expertise.

For faculty considering applying for a Fulbright, Fox advises an early start and reaching out to others on campus.

“I encourage faculty to begin work on the application early, request feedback about their application from colleagues, and keep applying. I applied for a Fulbright previously and was unsuccessful. I’m glad I tried again!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UI RESOURCES FOR APPLYING TO THE FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR PROGRAM

University faculty members at all stages of their careers can apply to become Fulbright Scholars or Fulbright Specialists. Grant recipients can teach, do research abroad, or a combination of both for flexible time periods ranging from two to six weeks to a semester or an entire academic year.

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.