Holy Cross Sociology Professor Awarded Fulbright Scholarship to Study City Climate Planning

Selina Gallo-Cruz, associate professor of sociology. Photo by Tom Rettig

Project to draw observations from Worcester, Mass. and Tampere, Finland

Holy Cross' Selina Gallo-Cruz, associate professor of sociology, has received a Fulbright Scholar award for 2021-2022 to study city climate planning, according to the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Jointly funded by Fulbright Finland Foundation and Tampere University, the Fulbright-Tampere University Scholar Award will allow Gallo-Cruz to examine how different cities engage with global models for facing the many challenges posed by climate change, drawing together observations from Worcester, Mass. and Tampere, Finland.

Professor Gallo-Cruz joined Holy Cross in 2013. She earned a B.A. in sociology from Wellesley College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from Emory University. Her research focuses on culture, gender, global change, NGOs, nonviolence methods, social movements and theory.

"It is a huge honor for me to participate in the Fulbright program and collaborate with colleagues at Tampere University in impacting the future and making a difference," said Gallo-Cruz. "Living and working in Finland will be a phenomenal learning experience and I look forward to returning to Holy Cross with a fresh perspective on the challenges and debates in city climate policy I can share with my students."

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has enabled more than 390,000 dedicated and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and to find solutions of shared international concerns.

For more information on the Fulbright Scholar Program visit awards.cies.org and to learn more about the Fulbright Finland Foundation visit Fulbright.fi.