Susan Spezzini, Ph.D., professor and program director of English as a second language in the School of EducationThe University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Susan Spezzini, Ph.D., professor and program director of English as a second language in the School of Education, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award.
Through the award, Spezzini will live in Paraguay from next February to July for her project, “Enhancing the Efficacy of English Language Educators in Paraguay.” During her time abroad, she will teach and conduct research at the National University of Asuncion and the Paraguayan American Cultural Center as part of a project to enhance the efficacy of English language educators in the country.
“In my project, I will focus on enhancing global engagement, meeting needs of local communities overseas and infusing global perspectives across UAB,” Spezzini said. “My Fulbright experience will hopefully serve to spawn collaborative research between UAB and Paraguayan educators, their graduate students and other colleagues who are seeking solutions for shared concerns.”
Spezzini is the only faculty member at UAB to receive the award this year and is one of more than 800 scholars from the United States who will teach, conduct research and provide expertise abroad for the 2020-2021 academic year through the program.
“During my time as a Fulbright scholar, I hope to reinvigorate my own teaching and research by reimagining cross-cultural perspectives, revitalizing my methods and reenergizing my passion,” Spezzini said.
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, record of service, and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 390,000 professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.