Canada-US Fulbright Award-Winner Studies Confederation Bridge

Russell Fielding, a post-graduate student from the University of Montana who is working at UPEI to examine the effects of the Confederation Bridge on PEI's tourism industry, has been named a 2005 Canada-US Fulbright Fellow, a prestigious title reserved for a select few in Canada and the United States.

Fielding's project, "The Effects of Fixed Links on Island Communities," will build on his Master of Arts thesis, a similar study conducted on three small islands in Florida. Fielding intends to interview tourists and tourism officials and review provincial tourism statistics. He is particularly interested in the social and cultural heritage of island communities as well as the promotion of their economic growth.

"Russell Fielding has seamlessly integrated within our flagship and pluri-disciplinary graduate program in Island Studies and his input is being much appreciated by both students and faculty," says Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at UPEI. "His informed approach to Island Studies and his rigorous training in human geography are much appreciated here as we continue to analyse and unravel the meaning of islandness and its influences on a range of physical and social issues. It is a pleasure having him around, working under my overall guidance and mentorship."

When he returns to the United States, Fielding intends to pursue a PhD in Geography. As a "cultural geographer" he aims to promote understanding among cultures through research and teaching.

Long regarded as the world's premiere academic exchange program, the Fulbright attracts exceptional scholars from more than 150 countries worldwide. It is among the fastest growing of the bilateral exchanges. Named for former US Senator J. William Fulbright and supported by Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and the United States Department of State, the Canada-US Fulbright Program has engaged more than 800 scholars in high-level academic exchanges since 1990.