Fulbright Canada Honours Grantee Contributions to Global Learning for International Education Week

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 a wide range of 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 scholarly projects, these grantees address critical issues, from environmental stewardship to mental healthcare access, contributing to Fulbright Canada’s vision of advocating for 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 Headshot
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 environmental resilience, and highlights the connectivity between Indigenous cultures and educational outcomes, health, well-being, and reduced substance use.

Ms. Margaret de Leon Headshot
Ms. Margaret de Leon
Stanford University and UC Berkeley

A Fulbright Canada Student focused on 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 Headshot
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 newcomers adapting to new environments.

Ms. Sarah Schmalenberger Headshot
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 Headshot
Ms. Hannah Feng
University of Victoria

A Fulbright Canada Student dedicated to mental healthcare access, Hannah partners with local organizations to design and implement youth support groups that reduce mental health stigma among newcomer 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 is a merit-based residential academic exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, support academic excellence, and contribute to peace, prosperity, and stability. The program is widely regarded as the gold standard in educational exchange and a powerful instrument of public diplomacy. 

The Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (aka Fulbright Canada) operates the Fulbright program in Canada, providing exchange opportunities for exceptional students, scholars, and researchers in the two countries.

Media Contact

Stacey Vincent
Public Affairs Officer
Fulbright Canada
613.688.5514
svincent@fulbright.ca

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