Mairéad O’Donnell, a PhD student on the European Research Council NovelEco project, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The 21 recipients were presented with Awards at a ceremony in Iveagh House recently hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin.
Mairead, a PhD candidate in the Discipline of Botany at Trinity College Dublin, will be joining The New School in New York City. Her research investigates urban rewilding and co-design processes through a social-ecological traits framework. As a Fulbright-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Awardee, Mairead will delve into community-based urban rewilding initiatives, aiming to design a new urban wild space and develop a comprehensive urban rewilding framework.
Previously, Mairéad completed an MSc. in Development Practice in Trinity College Dublin and a BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Geographical Sciences in Technological University of the Shannon. In 2020, she was awarded the ESAI Undergraduate of the Year Award for her final-year research project. Recently, Mairéad gained experience working as an Information Systems and Knowledge Officer with GOAL Global.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1957, is renowned for its role in enhancing academic and cultural relations between Ireland and the U.S. The program supports scholars, professionals, and students across various disciplines to engage in research, study, and teaching at leading U.S. institutions. This year’s awardees will span a range of prestigious institutions, contributing to fields such as public health, fine arts, political science, engineering, and urban studies.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Mairéad will serve as a cultural ambassador, fostering connections between the U.S. and Ireland and sharing her valuable insights upon her return.
Speaking about the award, Professor Marcus Collier, ADAPT Principal Investigator and lead on the NovelEco ERC project said: “Her participation in this program highlights her exceptional academic contributions. We want to extend our congratulations to Mairéad O’Donnell on this remarkable achievement and look forward to the innovative research and impactful contributions she will bring through her Fulbright experience.”
For more information about the Fulbright Program and the 2024-2025 awardees, please visit Fulbright Ireland.
Photo: 2024-25 Fulbright Irish Awardees with Minister Thomas Byrne, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Mike Clausen, Fulbright Ireland Board Chair Professor Paul Donnelly and Fulbright Commission in Ireland Executive Director Dr Dara FitzGerald.
