Q: Could you please describe your Fulbright project?

A: I went to Dublin, Ireland for 6 weeks this summer. My host Fulbright institution – The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – asked me to:  (1) present lectures at graduate and undergraduate levels on a variety of themes, including the responsible conduct of scholarship and ethics in research; (2) lead seminars or workshops at overseas academic institutions on sponsored research administration; (3) conduct needs assessments, surveys, institutional or programmatic research relative to special projects; (4) take part in specialized academic programs and conferences in both Ireland and other countries; (5) consult with senior academic administrators and faculty at post-secondary institutions on faculty development, sponsored research, and international research collaborations; (6) develop and assess (academic) curricula or educational materials; and (7) conduct faculty- and staff-training activities at the tertiary level.

Once I was in-country, we added a few other areas, but this pretty much captures the topical and thematic activities I was involved with.

Q: What caused you to decide to work on this? Is there an “origin” story?

A: Actually, those seven themes were developed – in collaboration with academic colleagues in Ireland and Europe – over a period of two years. It might sound mundane, but the discussions that led to this final blueprint were most interesting and very meaningful.

Q: What will be the result of your work? How would you explain the effects to an educated layman?

A: Some potential benefits of all this work can be summarized as follows: (1) potential faculty collaborations involving researchers from LMU and European universities; (2) undergraduate and graduate student exchanges; (3) and research partnerships involving collaboration by LMU, the Dublin Institute of Technology and other European-based research universities.

Q: How was the submission process? What was the most difficult part? What was the easiest part?

A: Good question, and one I am often asked. I found the Fulbright (on-line) application process very straight-forward and actually quite thought provoking. The most difficult aspect was staying focused on “doable” projects with realistic and meaningful outcomes for LMU, DIT, and other European-based university partners.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

A: My Fulbright experience in Ireland was truly wonderful, and my hosts at The Dublin Institute of Technology were outstanding in every respect. Ireland is an academically rich and culturally wonderful country; indeed, the people of Ireland are the country’s greatest national treasure.