Robertson's research interests include U.S. environmental history, U.S. foreign relations, and 20th century U.S. history. "I am especially interested in American relations with the developing world," he says. "Ever since I was a study-abroad student in Nepal, and later a Peace Corps volunteer there, I have had a particular interest in the history of this country and the role of American development projects there. My contact with the more than 10 WPI students who hail from Nepal has deepened that interest." Robertson, who joined the WPI faculty in 2006, earned a BA at Williams College and MA and PhD degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to his academic and research pursuits, he has advised a number of overseas undergraduate projects through WPI's Global Perspective Program. In 2008, a project team he co-advised (with Richard Vaz, dean of interdisciplinary and global studies, and Chrysanthe Demetry, associate professor of mechanical engineering) won the Forum on Education Abroad's Undergraduate Research Award competition for its study of environmental communication in Mae Moh, Thailand.
Nepal RPCV Thomas Robertson will be in Nepal through June as a Fulbright Scholar to conduct research on the social, environmental, and political consequences of Cold War-era American rural development programs
New Fulbright Scholars focus on rural development in Nepal, risk communication in Thailand
Thomas Robertson and Seth Tule are the 12th and 13th members of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute faculty to be named Fulbright Scholars
WORCESTER, Mass. – February 12, 2009 – Two faculty members from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are currently at work in Asia as Fulbright Senior Scholars. Thomas B. Robertson, assistant professor of history, is exploring the consequences of American rural development in Nepal. Seth P. Tuler, research assistant professor of interdisciplinary and global studies, is looking at the need for improved environmental health communications in Thailand. They are the 12th and 13th members of the current WPI faculty to be awarded Fulbright Scholar grants to conduct research abroad.
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship program in international educational exchange, is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Each year, the traditional Fulbright Scholar Program sends 800 U.S. faculty members and other professionals abroad to lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.
"These prestigious awards highlight the breadth of our faculty's interests as well as the quality of their scholarship," said John A. Orr, WPI's provost and senior vice president. "The work of both recipients relates directly to WPI's commitment to understanding the impacts of science and technology on humanity."
[Excerpt]
Thomas Robertson will be in Nepal through June to conduct research on the social, environmental, and political consequences of Cold War-era American rural development programs in that country—particularly efforts beginning in the mid-1950s to eradicate malaria using DDT. Robertson's research interests include U.S. environmental history, U.S. foreign relations, and 20th century U.S. history. "I am especially interested in American relations with the developing world," he says. "Ever since I was a study-abroad student in Nepal, and later a Peace Corps volunteer there, I have had a particular interest in the history of this country and the role of American development projects there. My contact with the more than 10 WPI students who hail from Nepal has deepened that interest."
Robertson, who joined the WPI faculty in 2006, earned a BA at Williams College and MA and PhD degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to his academic and research pursuits, he has advised a number of overseas undergraduate projects through WPI's Global Perspective Program. In 2008, a project team he co-advised (with Richard Vaz, dean of interdisciplinary and global studies, and Chrysanthe Demetry, associate professor of mechanical engineering) won the Forum on Education Abroad's Undergraduate Research Award competition for its study of environmental communication in Mae Moh, Thailand.
