Fulbright Specialist award sends MSU’s Allison to Switzerland for cross-cultural exchange
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University Associate Professor of Sociology Rachel Allison has earned a prestigious Fulbright Specialist position and will visit the University of Lucerne in Switzerland next month to teach, present research and engage with international faculty and students.
Allison will spend Nov. 12-Dec. 12 exploring how societal norms and cultural values shape athletic participation and representation.
“This Fulbright position allows me to share my passion for gender and sport while also learning from a diverse academic community,” she said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to travel abroad to share my experiences and learn from others. I hope to contribute to important conversations around inclusivity in sports and foster meaningful connections that extend beyond borders.”
As part of the Fulbright position, Allison will teach a course for students at the University of Lucerne while facilitating collaborative research opportunities benefiting both institutions. She will discuss her research on gender dynamics in sports and participate in networking events that will enhance scholarly collaboration. Allison also will attend a men’s soccer match, providing a firsthand perspective on gender representation in a sport often dominated by male athletes.
The Fulbright Specialist Program is part of the larger Fulbright Program established in 1946, which aims to promote mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other nations through educational exchange.
Applicants for the Fulbright Specialist award are rigorously evaluated based on their professional experience, the quality of their proposed projects, potential for collaboration and their ability to promote cultural exchange. This prestigious recognition not only highlights individual achievements but also strengthens ties between U.S. institutions and their international counterparts.
For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Sociology, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.sociology.msstate.edu.
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