March 1, 2024

Vice-Chancellor welcomes new Fulbright Scholars

Three exceptional scholars selected to undertake research projects in Wollongong

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is hosting three Fulbright Scholars from the United States in 2024, the 75th anniversary of the prestigious Fulbright scholarship program in Australia.

Professor Robert Ivory Webb, Paul Tudor Jones II Eminent Research Professor at the University of Virginia, and Professor Amelia Katanski, Professor of English and Critical Ethnic Studies at Kalamazoo College, Michigan, have been selected for the 2024 Fulbright Scholar Award funded by UOW.

Additionally, Abigail Grace Monahan, an environmental engineer from Skidmore College, New York, has won a 2024 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship and will be hosted by Professor Faisal Hai from UOW’s School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia Davidson welcomed UOW’s newest Fulbright Scholars at a gala dinner at Parliament House, Canberra, last night (Wednesday 28 February) also attended by the Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP and US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy.

“Congratulations to our three exceptional 2024 Fulbright Scholars. The Fulbright program offers academics from the United States and Australia exceptional opportunities to further their research interests while deepening the educational, research and cultural connections between our two countries,” Professor Davidson said.

“I look forward to the contributions they will make to academic life and research at UOW, and the collaborations that will flow from it. I will follow the progress of their research projects with great interest.”

Professor Webb’s research project at UOW will examine the impact of foreign capital inflows on residential real estate prices and evaluate possible policy actions to mitigate any adverse impact.

“Anecdotal evidence in many countries suggests purchases of real estate by foreigners have disadvantaged residents by driving up real estate prices and rents,” Professor Webb said.

“My Fulbright research aims to assess the impact of foreign capital inflows on residential real estate prices and evaluate possible policy actions to mitigate any adverse impact.”

Professor Webb earned a PhD in Finance at the University of Chicago. His background includes experience in business, government, the World Bank, and academia. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Futures Markets for 24 years. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications in the academic literature and several books.

Professor Katanski’s research focuses on how Indigenous literatures narrate Indigenous educational philosophies, legal claims to land, persistence of traditional foodways, and land-based knowledge.

“My project explores opportunities to mitigate cultural harm to Indigenous Australian students and faculty through development of a curriculum for US students who will study abroad in Australia, preparing them to engage with Indigenous communities, histories, and knowledge openly and humbly with Country as teacher,” she said.

Professor Katanski earned PhD and MA degrees in American Literature from Tufts University, and an MA in American Indian Studies from The University of California, Los Angeles. 

^{UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures) Professor David Currow and Fulbright Scholar Professor Robert Webb.}

As a Fulbright Scholar, Ms Monahan is working with Professor Hai to develop a wastewater treatment method.

“My Fulbright research aims to develop a novel wastewater treatment method combining biological and advanced oxidation methods to remove and degrade antibiotics more effectively,” she said.

“This research is a crucial component of mitigating antibiotic resistance and preventing the contamination of freshwater sources.”

Ms Monahan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry with a minor in Environmental Science and Studies from Skidmore College. Upon completion of her Fulbright research, Ms Monahan will pursue a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship foreign exchange scholarship program of the United States of America, aimed at increasing binational research collaboration, cultural understanding, and the exchange of ideas.

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission promotes education and cultural exchange between Australia and the United States, with a scholarship program providing support for students and scholars to study and research in either country. More than 5000 scholarships have been awarded to Australian and American researchers.