Two CU-Boulder professors named Fulbright Scholars

Two University of Colorado Boulder professors are conducting research in Finland and the United Kingdom as Fulbright Scholars for the 2011-12 academic year.

Lindquist

Farago

Professor Claire Farago of CU-Boulder’s art and art history department is doing work on Leonardo da Vinci’s “Treatise on Paintings” at the University of York in the U.K. and Associate Professor Thea Lindquist of University Libraries is working on improving searches of digital collections at Aalto University in Helsinki as part of the Fulbright Scholar Program.

This summer, 10 CU-Boulder students received 2011-12 Fulbright awards to pursue graduate studies, research and teaching projects abroad. The number of student awardees was a record for CU-Boulder, which was recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education last month as being among the nation’s top-producing research institutions of Fulbright students.

CU-Boulder’s 2010-11 Fulbright scholars included mathematics Professor Keith Kearnes, who collaborated with researchers in Hungary on applications of algebra and theoretical computer science; Kim Kreutzer, associate director of CU-Boulder’s Office of International Education, who participated in an international education administrator’s program in Japan; and music Associate Professor Brenda Romero, whose Fulbright research in Columbia focused on the music of Matachines -- traditional Hispanic dance-dramas -- and patterns of cultural adaptation.

“Selection as a Fulbright student or scholar is a highly coveted honor,” said Larry Bell, director of CU-Boulder’s Office of International Education. “I think I can speak for the campus community in expressing great pride in the efforts of our growing number of Fulbright awardees, whose reach spans the globe with research, teaching and community service that positively impacts many countries and cultures including our own.”

Farago’s research at the University of York involves Leonardo da Vinci’s influential “Treatise on Painting” and why it was abridged. It was widely circulated beginning in the 1580s even before it was published in 1651, said Farago.

Farago will present her work to other scholars in a research seminar on Dec. 12 at London’s National Gallery, in conjunction with a recently opened Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. She also has given talks at the University of York and the University of East Anglia.

Farago, who teaches courses on Renaissance art history, early modern gender studies, art theory and contemporary critical theory at CU-Boulder, also is working on curriculum development for CU-Boulder’s introductory course on World Art as part of her Fulbright project.

“Reviewing our curriculum has generated interest at York University and the University of East Anglia,” said Farago. “I hope it will lead to an ongoing international exchange that continues after my grant period.”

Lindquist is working with the Semantic Computing Research Group at Aalto University in Helsinki to explore how “linked data” can enhance discovery in digital collections of primary sources.

In computing, “linked data” refers to a method of structuring Web content that allows computers to automatically read and connect information from different sources, vastly improving search functionality. She is using CU’s recently launched World War I Collection Online, at http://libcudl.colorado.edu/wwi/index.asp, as a test bed for her project.

“My Fulbright work represents the opportunity to immerse myself in a different society and culture while engaging in collaborative work on shared academic interests,” said Lindquist. “The people I have met and worked with in Finland are what have really added richness to the experience of being here, both on a personal and professional level.”

Fulbright Scholar recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their fields. The program sends approximately 800 U.S. faculty to 155 countries each year to lecture, research and participate in seminars. Additionally, about 800 foreign faculty members come to the U.S. each year through the program.

For more information on the Fulbright Scholar Program visit http://www.cies.org/us_scholars/. For more information on international programs at CU-Boulder visit http://www.colorado.edu/OIE/.