Alumna Hilary Bishop, receives a Fulbright Award to the USA
Institute of Irish Studies alumna, Dr Hilary Bishop has received a Fulbright All-Disciplines Scholars Award to enable her to research at host institution Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, on one of the most well-regarded and impactful scholarship programmes in the world.
As a participant, Hilary has been selected from a strong applicant pool to research how Irish living heritage can be measured and managed using a values-based approach that goes beyond obvious success indicators such as visitor numbers, social media likes, and income from tourism.
Hilary Bishop giving a talk at an event at Lackagh Heritage Centre, County Galway, Ireland
Hilary's research will include working with Irish and Irish Americans to record their narratives in relation to the living heritage associated with Ireland’s Mass paths.
Commenting on receiving the award, Hilary said: "Upon learning I had received the award I felt very humbled that I had been given such an amazing opportunity to go and research in New York. I am really looking forward to integrating myself into the Irish community there and to enjoying all the culture that the city has to offer. As a Fulbright scholar, I will be working alongside Irish and Irish Americans to record aspects of their living heritage in order to create a multi-layered representation of landscape known as a deep map. Rather than presenting a fixed view of a place, the deep map will invite users to visually explore the cultural history and heritage of the Irish landscape and develop new ways of thinking about place. I hope this research will enable me to support future policymaking in respect to living heritage within the UK, Ireland and the USA."
Maria Balinska, Executive Director, US-UK Fulbright Commission said: “Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration. Today there are many global challenges to overcome, and the world needs compassionate leaders to tackle them. This cohort of awardees will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious study and research programmes in the US: I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”