Elon hosting two British Fulbright Scholars in 2018-19

Faculty members in the United Kingdom will teach courses and conducting research through the U.S.-U.K. exchange program. 

Two faculty members from institutions in the United Kingdom will be teaching and conducting research at Elon this academic year as part of the U.S.-U.K Fulbright Commission exchange program, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. 

Mercy Ette, a senior lecturer at the University of Huddersfield in Huddersfield, will be teaching and conducting research this fall and Emma Folwell, lecturer at Newman University in Birmingham, will be teaching and conducting research in the spring. 

Mercy Ette, left, and Emma Folwell will be&nbsp; <span style=”font-size: 13.9997px;”>will be teaching and conducting research at Elon this academic year as part of the U.S.-U.K Fulbright Commission exchange program.&nbsp;</span>
Most U.K. Fulbright Scholars receive general awards not specifically linked to a U.S. institution, with their time spent primarily on conducting research at large institutions. The Fulbright-Elon University Scholar Award allows Ette and Folwell to focus on teaching at a primarily undergraduate university recognized as a leader in engaged learning, while also conducting research. 

“Elon is excited to host these two accomplished scholars during the next academic year and to continue to grow its relationships with both the Fulbright Commission and the numerous U.K. institutions that participate in this important exchange program,” said Tim Peeples, senior associate provost for faculty affairs. 

Ette will teach in the School of Communications this fall while she pursues her research project titled, “Framing a ‘special relationship”: An analysis of the New York Times coverage of the UK-US bond. Ette notes that much has been made of the idea that the two countries enjoy a special bond, and her research will focus on how the New York Times reflects that special bond in its coverage. Her research will also highlight the pivotal role that the media play in shaping public perception. 

Ette earned her bachelor’s degree in English and literary studies from the University of Calabar in Nigeria, her masters in journalism studies from the University of Wales College of Cardiff in the U.K, and her doctorate from the University of Leeds, also in the U.K. 

Folwell will teach in the Department of History at Elon in the spring while working on research into African-American women and social welfare. Her project titled “Beyond the beloved community: African-American women and social welfare from the Progressive era to the New Deal” centers on the nature and development of community activism among African-American women during that time period. Her research focuses on the relationship between the public and domestic spheres of black women’s activism; the class and gender divisions that shaped the African-American response to poverty; and the role of black women in the professionalization of social welfare.

The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission offers the only bi-national transatlantic academic awards program between the United States and the United Kingdom. Each year around 50 U.K. and 50 U.S. citizens are awarded scholarships or grants to study, lecture, conduct research, or focus on professional development at a variety of leading institutions.

The application period for 2019-20 Fulbright Scholars Awards is now open, with applications accepted until Tuesday, Nov. 6. Details about the Fulbright Elon University Award are available here.

For more information about the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission visit www.fulbright.org.uk.