PhD candidate Leah Sarson (Political Studies) has been awarded a Fulbright Canada student grant. The prestigious funding will allow her to conduct research at Dartmouth College this academic year.

“The Fulbright award provides me with the opportunity to immerse myself in a new academic environment and explore different approaches to the study of international relations,” says Ms. Sarson.

“Working at Dartmouth exposes me to the many advantages of an Ivy League institution, including its renowned network of scholars and experts in the field of international relations. The award also affords me the financial latitude to focus on my dissertation rather than other commitments.”

While researching at the Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College, Ms. Sarson, a former teaching fellow in the Department of Political Studies and a fellow at the Centre for International and Defence Policy, will continue her work researching the international dimensions of Indigenous peoples’ participation in the Canadian extractive resource sector.

“Indigenous peoples are having a marked political and economic effect on arguably Canada's most important sector - extractive resources - and I think it is important to try to understand that impact,” she says.

The Fulbright award is one of the most prestigious academic honours aimed at improving research excellence between international partners.

“Leah Sarson’s work is sure to break new ground,” says Stefanie von Hlatky, Director, Centre for International and Defence Policy. “The dynamics of competition between central governments and First Nations is a fascinating and path-breaking line of inquiry, which crosses over Indigenous studies and foreign policy analysis. Her findings will attract a lot of attention in both academia and policy circles.”

Queen’s is an institutional partner in Fulbright Canada, a program which provides an opportunity for funded undergraduate and graduate exchange between Canadian and American member institutions. Fulbright is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Fulbright program is open to students, researchers and teachers from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Further information can be found on the Fulbright Canada website.

Read more about Fulbright Canada.