On Saturday, September 14, 2024, President Biden announced that a cohort of Fulbright U.S. Student Study/Researchers have been selected as Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows in remarks made during the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Of the recipients, a member of our department, a Ph.D. candidate Ra’Phael Davis was among them. 

Ra'phael is a PhD Student specializing in International Relations and Comparative Politics. His main areas of interest are peace building and post-conflict reconstruction, with special regard to how those dynamics play out in Sub-Saharan African societies and politics. Before coming to OSU, he received B.A. degrees in Philosophy and International Studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also worked as a Program Officer for Global Ties Arkansas, an organization focused on citizen diplomacy and international exchange. 

The Fulbright-John Lewis Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for Fulbright U.S. Student Program participants to join a cohort of their peers and participate in virtual activities advancing the goals of the Fellowship during their Fulbright exchanges such as a dedicated lecture series, leadership training, development opportunities, and an in-person capstone seminar.  The Fellows come from all regions of the United States. Their research projects explore concepts of citizenship, human rights, democratic movements, resistance to authoritarianism, and peace and conflicts studies in nations and regions across the world.  

By bringing together this diverse community of researchers throughout their Fulbright experience, the Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship will help these participants share knowledge with their peers, conduct meaningful research, and promote the Fulbright Program’s goal of cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding.