Doctoral student receives Fulbright award
Anne Crylen of the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ will spend the coming year in Cambodia conducting research on children's re-entry into school following traumatic injury with support from a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant.
Crylen, who is pursuing her at UW's ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ, will explore the dynamics of parental, medical and academic systems of support for children as they form their new identity with acquired disability during her 10 months in the country. Her research also will explore cultural understandings about disability with respect to traditional beliefs and Cambodia's renewal of legislation inclusive of disability under the United Nations Conventions on Rights of the Child and Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
"As a returned Peace Corps volunteer and former Chicago Public School educator, I have continued to engage in the international dialogue on disability with a focus on invisible, vulnerable and marginalized children, particularly in low-resource nations," Crylen said. "It is my hope that my work as a Fulbright Fellow will foster interaction and contribute to the debate on the role education plays in international development."
In the summer of 2013, Crylen traveled to Cambodia as part of a UW course on global health and rights of children with disabilities. That experience enabled her to explore future opportunities to work within international non-governmental organizations.
Crylen is interested in continuing to explore the intersection between special education, rehabilitation medicine, disability studies and policy following her Fulbright experience.
"As a champion for children with disability, I plan to continue my career in public service and join prominent policymakers in helping make equitable education accessible to all children regardless of ability throughout the world," Crylen said.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.
Contact
Dustin Wunderlich, Director for Marketing and Communications
206-543-1035, dwunder@uw.edu