Award

Ceny Walker Graduate Fellowship

Major

Comparative Literature Masters

Year

Graduate Student

Why did you apply?

“I applied for this fellowship to offset costs related to a research expedition to Kazakhstan, Summer 2025.”

Provide a summary of what you did with your scholarship or grant.

The funds provided by the fellowship were used to purchase plane tickets and pay towards the program cost. During the course of the expedition, we visited a number of villages in and around the Bukhtarma Valley region in Kazakhstan, where we: 1) filmed performances of traditional folklore music 2) interviewed residents belonging to Kazakh Old Believer groups, primarily regarding wedding rituals.

During this time, I assisted with interviews, pursued my own lines of questioning related to folk stories as a part of my research, and helped in translating interviews for colleagues on the expedition who did not speak Russian. The experienced gained on this trip not only supported my research, but also provided me with a unique on-the-ground experience in Russian-speaking communities, which has strengthened my CV as I apply for doctoral programs in Slavic studies.”

How did this scholarship or grant help you?

“Had I not received this scholarship, I would not have had the financial means to attend this expedition.”

Do you have any advice for future applicants?

“I would suggest future applicants to focus on concrete reasons as to why the fellowship will support them in their research. Highlight specific features of the target experience (conference attendance, program attendance) which directly contribute to professional development and thus ensure that the awarding of funds will be worthwhile.”