FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, November 18, 2024 — International Education Week (IEW) illuminates the transformative power of global academic exchange—central to Fulbright Canada's mission. Fulbright Canada proudly celebrates how education bridges borders, opens doors to diverse perspectives and inspires cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. By fostering connections and supporting innovative research, Fulbright Canada grantees exemplify the potential of academic exchange to drive progress, deepen mutual respect, and contribute to a more interconnected world.
Fulbright Canada kicks off International Education Week by celebrating five outstanding grantees whose research and dedication exemplify excellence, opportunity, and academic collaboration between Canada and the United States. Through diverse projects, these grantees address critical issues, from environmental stewardship to mental health accessibility, contributing to Fulbright Canada’s vision of advocating for access and opportunity, and building a brighter, more connected world.
"As a Fulbright alum and leader of Fulbright Canada for over 20 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how cross-border academic exchange fosters collaboration and understanding,” says Dr. Michael K. Hawes, CEO of Fulbright Canada.
Featured Fulbright Canada Grantees
Dr. Heather Gordon
Nunavut Arctic College
An Iñupiaq Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar and advocate for Indigenous sovereignty, Dr. Gordon’s project “Indigenous Sovereignty & Arctic Security: Human Rights & Environmental Justice in Governance” integrates Indigenous knowledge into global environmental frameworks. Dr. Gordon’s work addresses conservation, land and water management, and climate change, and highlights the connectivity between Indigenous cultures and educational outcomes, health, well-being, and reduced substance use.
Ms. Margaret de Leon
Stanford University and UC Berkeley
A Fulbright Canada Student focused on equitable access to education, Margaret’s project “A Comparative Study of Working Learners: Insights from Canada and the United States” explores how student employment shapes academic outcomes in Canada and the United States, advocating for policies that support working learners.
Mr. Albert Sauermann
Université de Montréal
A Killam Fellow and clinical social worker with experience across Latin America and the United States, Albert explores how education and communication bridge cultural gaps. Having worked with Spanish-speaking families in New York and Dallas, and studied at Sciences Po in France, Albert understands the challenges faced by immigrants adapting to new environments.
Ms. Sarah Schmalenberger
University of Regina
A Fulbright Canada Research Chair, musicologist and environmental advocate, Sarah’s project “Creating Sound and Music in a Throwaway Culture” focuses on transforming discarded materials into instruments, promoting ecological sustainability through collaborative music-making. Sarah’s work redefines music creation while championing environmental and social stewardship.
Ms. Hannah Feng
University of Victoria
A Fulbright Canada Student dedicated to mental health accessibility, Hannah partners with local organizations to design and implement youth support groups that reduce mental health stigma among immigrant and refugee communities. Hannah’s project “Dismantling Stigma: Youth Mental Health Ambassadors for Newcomer Youth in Canada” aims to create culturally responsive interventions, enhancing care-seeking attitudes and community resilience.
Fulbright Canada is honoured to recognize remarkable individuals, whose contributions enhance academic exchange and mutual understanding. We look forward to supporting future scholars who, like this year’s grantees, dedicate themselves to building a brighter, more interconnected world.
We invite you to celebrate International Education Week with us as we share more inspiring grantee stories, engaging quizzes, reels, and a collaborative webinar with Education USA to explore the impact of international academic exchange further.
About Fulbright Canada
Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported over 325,000 students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists across 155 countries, remaining one of the world’s most distinguished academic honours. The program aims to foster mutual understanding and academic excellence.
Fulbright Canada is a bi-national, treaty-based, non-governmental organization that identifies and supports exceptional scholars and students in Canada and the United States by providing academic exchange programs through merit-based grants.