Fulbright alumni help welcome newcomers to NZ

Fulbright alumni help welcome newcomers to New Zealand

With the help of several of its esteemed alumni, Fulbright New Zealand recently welcomed to New Zealand a cohort of 19 new American grantees of the Fulbright US student and scholar programmes, Ian Axford Fellowships and Eisenhower Fellowships. The group were introduced to New Zealand’s history, culture, politics and environment through a week-long Orientation programme including lectures and visits to significant sites around the Wellington area including Te Papa museum, Waiwhetü marae, Otari-Wilton’s Bush nature reserve and Parliament.

This year’s Orientation programme included a greater involvement of alumni from the Fulbright programme’s almost 60 years of operation in New Zealand. Fulbright alumnus Jock Phillips, General Editor of Te Ara - the online encyclopedia of New Zealand, gave the group an introductory lecture on New Zealand history, noting key dates in the country’s history and the evolution of our national identity. He also treated the group to a sneak preview of yet-to-be-unveiled new content on the Te Ara website.

Fellow Fulbright alumnus John Dawson, who gained his PhD in Botany for the University of California at Berkerley in the 1950s, took the group on a tour of Otari-Wilton’s Bush, introducing them to the many unique features of New Zealand’s native flora. American alumna Alison Arnold, who since gaining her Masters in Environmental Science from Victoria University of Wellington as a Fulbright US Graduate Student in 2000 has worked for the Department of Conservation and WWF, shared her hands-on experience working on New Zealand’s most pressing environmental issues for the past five years.

Another highlight of the week was being hosted at Parliament by Harkness Fellowships alumnus and Labour Party MP Shane Jones. Shane spoke of his own life-changing fellowship experience and his road to Parliament, and along with Victoria University of Wellington lecturer Jon Johansson explained New Zealand’s political system, topical issues and future directions for the country.

Fulbright’s Orientation programme aims to deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences to newly-arrived grantees in order to immerse them into life in New Zealand. The group also experienced a rare behind the scences tour of Te Papa museum’s New Zealand art and Mäori taonga collections, and were treated to a pöwhiri and overnight stay at Waiwhetü marae, which is always a high point of the programme. The diverse group of grantees are now settling in to their homes and host institutions around the country, where they will study, research and teach for up to a year.

ENDS

Please see the Fulbright New Zealand website for details of the award programmes and a full Orientation 2007 photo gallery:
http://www.fulbright.org.nz/awards
http://www.fulbright.org.nz/events/photogallery2007.html

Incoming US Fulbright grantees February 2007

Fulbright US Graduate Awards

These awards are for promising US graduate students to undertake postgraduate study or research in any field at a New Zealand institution. Approximately 10 awards covering travel, tuition and living costs are offered each year.

Amanda Cravens will complete a Master of Arts in Geography, specialising in the history of South Island mountain tourism, at the University of Canterbury.

Amy Fowler will complete a Master of Science in Marine Science, specialising in the threat of invasive species to native biodiversity, at the University of Auckland.

Willie Franco will complete a Master of Fine Arts in Installation Art at Massey University in Wellington.

Shaw Gargis will conduct research towards a PhD in Biology, specialising in the mechanism of Zoocin A resistance, at the University of Otago.

Kenny Gillingham will complete a Master of Arts in Economics, specialising in the economics of solar power generation in New Zealand, at the University of Auckland.

Dana Greenfield will complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Gender Studies, specialising in medical management of intersex, at the Universities of Canterbury and Auckland.

Becky Hamner will complete a Master of Science in Biology, specialising in the major histocompatibility complex of cetaceans, at the University of Auckland.

Emily Howard will complete a Master of Arts in Political Science, specialising in media coverage of biopharming, at the University of Canterbury.

Tiffany Rinne will complete a Master of Arts in Political Science, specialising in cross-cultural meanings of genetically modified food technology, at the University of Canterbury.

Andrew Shipley will conduct research into socio-cultural identities at Victoria University of Wellington.

Fulbright US Senior Scholar Awards

These awards are for US academics, artists or professionals with distinction to pursue research or practical experience in New Zealand for three to five months. A small number of awards valued at up to NZ$32,500 (plus travel expenses) are offered each year.

Pam Chasek from Manhattan College will research Pacific regional responses to environmental challenges at Victoria University of Wellington.

Doug Creed from the University of Rhode Island will research New Zealand’s response to the US model for workplace diversity management at Victoria University of Wellington.

Tom Egnew from the University of Washington will develop a doctor-patient relationship curriculum for the University of Otago.

Beth Jakob from the University of Massachusetts Amhurst will research the behaviour of jumping spiders at the University of Canterbury.

Bob McElvaine from Millsaps College will research the influence of the US New Deal model on New Zealand’s handling of the Great Depression at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington.

Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy

These fellowships are for outstanding mid-career US professionals to study and gain first-hand experience of public policy in New Zealand for six months. A small number of fellowships valued at up to NZ$39,000 (plus travel expenses) are offered each year.

Fiona Alexander from the US Department of Commerce will research regulation of the Information and Communications Technologies sector to encourage broadband uptake at the Ministry of Economic Development.

Ann Morse from the National Conference of State Legislatures will compare perspectives of immigration and integration in the US and New Zealand at the Department of Labour.

Matt Nice from the Multnomah County Department of County Management will compare outcomes of legislation on methamphetamine use in the US and New Zealand at New Zealand Police.

Eisenhower Fellowships

These fellowships are for emerging American leaders to visit New Zealand to meet with local experts in their field of interest. One or two awards covering travel, accommodation and living costs are offered each year.

Rick Sauer from the Philadelphia Association of Development Corporations will investigate affordable housing, community development and sustainable neighbourhood revitalisation in New Zealand.

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