Longford professor receives prestigious Fulbright Scholarship

A Longford professor was among thirty-seven academics, professionals, students and Irish speakers who were presented with Fulbright Scholarships at a recent ceremony in the US Ambassador’s residence.

Professor Corina Naughton, daughter of Sean and Bernadette Naughton, Rathvaldron, Edgeworthstown, Longford, is Professor of Clinical Nursing in Older Person’s Healthcare working between University College Cork and Health Service Executive South/South West Hospital Group.

As a Fulbright-HRB Health Impact Scholar at the University of California, she will research and collaborate with experts and her goal will be to improve the quality and dignity of care for older people across healthcare settings.

Trailblazing Professor Naughton grew up in the parish of Ardagh.

One of seven children (her siblings are Cyril, Bernadette, Caroline, Anita, John and Fionnuala), she attended Glen National School and received her secondary education at Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford town.

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Prof Naughton studied nursing at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Most of her nursing career was spent in London at Guys and St Thomas Hospital and she was a senior lecturer in King's College London.

Her clinical professor role is a joint appointment between the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoNM), University College Cork and the Health Service Executive South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) and is the first such appointment in Irish nursing.

Prof Naughton’s research and education interests focus on evidence translation on topics including implementation of frailty and dementia pathways, fundamental care (mobilisation, nutrition and cognition), advance care planning and community integrated services.

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In a year that saw American President Biden visit Ireland, the 37 Irish Fulbright awardees will head to the U.S. to exchange ideas and knowledge and serve as cultural ambassadors. By doing so they strengthen connections between the U.S. and Ireland to foster much needed understanding and empathy in today’s increasingly polarised world.

The Fulbright Programme in Ireland was established in 1957 and since its formation, over 2,500 postgraduate students, scholars, professionals, and teachers across all disciplines have participated in the program between the U.S. and Ireland.

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Congratulating the Irish Fulbright Awardees of 2023-2024, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and at the Department of Education, Thomas Byrne TD said, “Fulbrighters, past and present, are a testament to the best traditions of academic and cultural exchange, and have an outstanding record in representing Ireland.”
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Ireland, Mike Clausen outlined that The Fulbright Programme plays a crucial role in sustaining and advancing the unique and close relationship between the United States and Ireland.

He added, “Fulbright awardees exchange research, knowledge, ideas, and culture and contribute to solving important global problems.”

The next round of applications for Fulbright Irish Awards will open on August 28, 2023. Interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information.