Fulbright Dialogues

The Fulbright Dialogues are roundtable discussions on current topics selected in collaboration with the Foundation's partner institutions. The discussions last up to 75 minutes and include a brief expert introduction to the theme followed by Q&A and an open dialogue between invited participants. The presenters include the Foundation's grantees, alumni, and other Finnish and international experts.

The Dialogues are invitation-only events.

If your organization is interested in promoting international dialogue on current themes, please contact the Fulbright Finland Foundation to sponsor or co-organize a Fulbright Dialogue.

Stay tuned for Future Dialogues!

Past Dialogues:

Tackling Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative - A round-table discussion on the critically important, expanding role of science diplomacy in today’s increasingly volatile global environment, and the role and impact of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative and its scholars in science diplomacy. This Dialogue among the fourth cohort of scholars in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative program takes place in Kautokeino, Norway, and it is hosted by the Norway-U.S. Fulbright Commission. 
Introductory remarks and facilitation: Terhi Mölsä, CEO, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Time: September 12, 2024 

21st Century Leadership in Schools - A round-table discussion with views from Finland and U.S. on the future needs and prospects of school leadership
Speaker: Petri Lehikoinen, Counsellor of Education, Head of Unit (General Upper Secondary Education, Basic Education in the Arts, Liberal Adult Education), Finnish National Agency for Education
Time: May 4, 2022

The Improbable Origins of the Fulbright Program - In this session of the Fulbright Dialogues series, Dr. Lonnie R. Johnson shared his recent research findings on the origins of the global Fulbright Program. His brief introduction to the theme was followed by a discussion with the Dialogue participants.
Speaker: Dr. Lonnie R. Johnson 
Time: March 3, 2020

Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Travel Grant Program - new ideas and networks for developing school leadership
Speakers: 2019 Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools Travel Grants to the U.S. Alumni Tarja Mykrä, Pasi Rangell and Anne-Marie Rapo
Time: December 3, 2019

21st Century Leadership in Schools - A round-table discussion with views from Finland and U.S. on the future needs and prospects of school leadership
Speaker: Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, National Agency for Education, Finland
Time: March 8, 2019

Current Trends in Comprehensive Internationalization and Strategic Partnership Development in U.S. Higher Education
Speaker: Paulo Zagalo-Melo, Ph.D., Associate Provost, Haenicke Institute for Global Education, Western Michigan University
Time: April 16, 2018

Future Needs and Prospects for Finnish-U.S. Teacher and Administrator Exchanges
Speaker: Jennifer Gibson, Chief of the Teacher Exchange Branch in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Time: December 11, 2017

Mechanisms of Radicalization and Sense of Inclusion
Speaker: Dr. Muqtedar Khan, Professor, University of Delaware
Time: October 17, 2017

In this session of the Fulbright Dialogue series, Professor Muqtedar Khan from the University of Delaware shared his expertise on the mechanisms of radicalization and the sense of belonging vs. non-belonging to the society. His introduction to the theme was followed by a discussion with invited expert participants. The dialogue was facilitated by Hanna-Miina Sihvonen, Ph.D., Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Interior; 2017 Fulbright Finland Study of the U.S. Institute for Scholars program alumna.

Using case studies to promote interdisciplinary approaches to environmental education
Speakers: Nathaniel Woodruff and Stephen Howard
Time: March 7, 2017

In this session of the Fulbright Dialogue series, U.S. Fulbright Teachers Nathaniel Woodruff and Stephen Howard shared their experiences in using case studies to promote interdisciplinary approaches to environmental education. Their introduction to the theme was followed by a discussion with invited expert participants.

Abstract: Case studies bring relevancy and authenticity to the learning of environmental concepts. Environmental problems are interdisciplinary in nature and should be taught across disciplines to reflect this reality.  However, the teaching of environmental topics is typically only taught within the science classroom by science teachers working alone.  This dialogue aimed to develop strategies for professionals from different disciplines both in and outside of schools to collaborate on using case studies in environmental education.

Transatlantic Dialogue on 21st Century Education
Speaker: William Doyle
Time: November 19, 2015

In this session of the Fulbright Dialogue series, Fulbright Scholar William Doyle discussed his research project titled “The Schools of Tomorrow: Global Visions of the Future of Education”, which was followed by a discussion by invited expert participants.

Factors attracting U.S. graduate students to education and research in Finland
Speaker: Katsiaryna Mikalayeva
Time: May 13, 2015 

​Which factors are most significant for U.S. graduate students when they decide to choose Finland and Finnish higher education institutions as the destination for their Fulbright year? Research on this topic was presented by Katsiaryna Mikalayeva, and followed by a discussion by invited expert participants on how the results of this research could be utilized for the benefit of Finnish higher education.

Transatlantic Cooperation in Teacher Exchange and Education
Speaker: Meghann Curtis, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State
Time: October 27, 2014