BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Jessica Martell, associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, has received the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission's Fulbright-Queen's University Belfast Scholar Award in Irish Studies for 2025-26. This award will enable her to conduct research and lecture at Queen’s University Belfast in one of the most well-regarded and impactful fellowship programs in the world.
The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission provides the only bilateral, transatlantic scholarship programme in the U.K., offering awards for study or research in any field, at any accredited U.S. or U.K. university. The Commission selects scholars through a rigorous application and interview process, looking for academic excellence alongside a focused application, cultural curiosity, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright mission, and a plan to give back to the U.S. or U.K. upon returning.
Dr. Martell was selected from a strong applicant pool to study the impact of plantations on culture and the arts in Northern Ireland and the U.S. South. Her research explores how artists, writers, and filmmakers engage with the social and environmental legacies of plantation systems. She will also teach modules on Irish literature at Queen’s University Belfast.
“When most people hear the word plantation, they think about the U.S. South, but the earliest models existed in what is now Northern Ireland,” explained Martell. “These systems weren’t just about farming. They still shape our imaginations on both sides of the Atlantic, from how people reckon with histories of conflict and division, to how they understand their relationship to the natural world. I am excited to dig into this challenging work and learn from the experience of being in a different cultural and educational context.”
From the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission, Martell will receive administrative support and a cultural education programme, including visa support, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities while abroad, a re-entry session, and access to a global alumni network.
Maria Balinska, executive director of the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission, said, “Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding, and collaboration. There are many global challenges to overcome, and we need compassionate leaders to tackle them. This cohort of talented Scholars – who have just been through one of the most competitive selection processes in the Commission’s recent history – will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious teaching and research programmes in the U.K. I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”
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About the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission
The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission works to advance knowledge, promote civic engagement and develop compassionate leaders through education exchange between the peoples of the U.S. and the U.K. It is the only academic awards programme that operates on both sides of the Atlantic, providing grants for postgraduate study, research, and teaching. Since 1948, tens of thousands of British and American citizens have participated in our programmes, enriching their educations, developing relationships, advancing their careers, and making a difference in their communities, at home and abroad. The Fulbright Program of awards is now considered amongst the most prestigious scholarship awards globally, with 60 Nobel Laureates and 39 Heads of State/Government within its 390,000 global alumni.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at appstate.edu.
Written by Marina Martinez
Edited by Lauren Gibbs
August 18, 2025
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Jessica Martell is an associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Photo submitted
Dr. Jessica Martell is an associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Photo submitted