Fulbright College Hosts Social Sciences Grant-Writing Workshop Nov. 6

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The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences will host a grant writing workshop revealing the secrets of successful social science grant writing.  

The Social Science of Success: Social Sciences Grant Writing Workshop will be from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Old Main Room 523. It will feature scholars from a range of social science disciplines who have extensive experience in securing federal, state and foundation support for their projects.

The workshop is free and open to Fulbright College faculty, but seating is limited to 30 participants. RSVPs are required before 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, by emailing Debbie Power at dlpower@uark.edu.

"The Social Science of Success will focus on winning strategies for preparing social sciences proposals and communicating with programs, foundations and agencies," said Anna Zajicek, associate dean of Fulbright College and organizer of the workshop. "We have several fantastic, grant-winning social scientists in our college. Four of these amazing scholars will share their expertise and experiences with navigating the complexities of submitting successful proposals to federal and state agencies as well as private foundations."

Zajicek said the faculty members will also speak about writing proposals related to diversity and inclusion, and during the workshop participants will be introduced to the team of research development support specialists the from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation.

"This workshop is motivated by Fulbright College's effort to broaden participation and inclusion in grant writing activities and to provide a networking opportunity to our social science scholars," Zajicek said. "We also hope to expand our grant writing toolboxes to further pursue grant opportunities related to diversity and inclusion."

The workshop is the first in a series of workshops planned for the 2019-2020 academic year. The presentation will include a Q & A session, and is designed to benefit faculty at every level.

The Social Science of Success will showcase Fulbright College faculty members Ana Bridges, Steve Boss, Kevin Fitzpatrick and Debra Hurd. These distinguished colleagues and scholars have secured millions of dollars in extramural funding. 

Ana Bridges is a professor of clinical psychology and director of the Bridges Dream Lab in the Department of Psychological Science. Her research focuses on scientifically informed clinical practice that aims to reduce health disparities, especially for underserved Latino immigrant populations. She has published more than 40 book chapters and articles in journals such as Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Families, Systems, and Health, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, Psychological Services and Journal of Latina/o Psychology. In the past seven years, Bridges has been awarded over $385,000 in extramural research and training grants from agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, the National Institute of Health and the Verizon Foundation, and has served as a consultant or co-investigator for other federally-funded grants. She has also been the primary mentor to undergraduate and graduate student fellows - totaling over $30,000 from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the American Psychological Association. She has been at the University of Arkansas for 12 years.

Stephen K. Boss is professor of environmental dynamics and sustainability in the Department of Geosciences. He is a nationally recognized leader in broadening participation and inclusion in the field of geosciences. Since 2003, he has been affiliated with the National Association of Black Geoscientists, and in 2010 partnered with Fort Valley State University (an 1890 Land Grant institution in Georgia) to develop a 3+2 dual degree program in CHEM-GEOL and MATH-GEOL. He also hosts a summer pre-college program for high school students, the Math, Science, and Engineering Academy (M-SEA), with FVSU on the U of A campus. He has served on the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion for the Geological Society of America and receives support from the National Science Foundation to develop a more diverse geosciences workforce in the United States. He is also a member of the Department of Geosciences Diversity Committee and the University of Arkansas Committee for Diversity and Inclusion through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion.

Kevin M. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. is a community sociologist with 35 years of experience as a researcher, consultant and advocate. He is a University Professor and the Jones Chair in Community in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Since 2005, he has devoted the majority of his work-focus on helping communities throughout Arkansas to better understand the challenges they face, and the types of strategies they might consider adopting to address those challenges. He has published five books and more than 75 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters that have continually emphasized the theme that place matters. His research has been funded as a P.I. or co-P.I. by NSF, NIJ, CDC, NIH, the Walton Family Foundation, the Wal-Mart Foundation, and the Tyson Foundation. He currently has a multidisciplinary grant under review at the NSF to fund a three-year project to develop technological solutions to addressing neighborhood-based problems like food insecurity.

Debra Gage Hurd is a clinical full professor in the School of Social Work. She obtained her undergraduate B.S.W., graduate M.P.A. and doctoral degree in health sciences at the University of Arkansas. She is the P.I. of the Arkansas Academic Partnership in Public Child Welfare, an education and training project involving eight university partners. She has served as P.I. on a number of external grants from the U.S. Department of Education, The Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle. She was recognized in 2015 and 2016 as one of the top 15 researchers at the University of Arkansas. She has presented at international and national conferences on a variety of child welfare and social work topics and published on the topic of child welfare internships. She was appointed to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board by Governor Hutchison in 2015 and reappointed to a second term in 2019.