Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
View larger image

Pictured is the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where App State’s Dr. Elizabeth Bellows, associate professor in the Reich College of Education, will spend nine months during the 2023–24 academic year performing cross-cultural research for her Fulbright project “Teaching Amidst the War: Refugee Experiences in Romanian Schools.” Flickr image/Dennis Jarvis

Associate professor Elizabeth Bellows awarded 2023–24 Fulbright to perform research in Romania

Her project explores effects of Russia–Ukraine war on educators, students and families

View larger image

Dr. Elizabeth Bellows, associate professor in App State’s Reich College of Education. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“Narratives are at the heart of how we construct history, and telling our stories is the mechanism for prioritizing humanity, understanding difference and growing empathy.”

2023–24 Fulbright recipient and App State associate professor Dr. Elizabeth Bellows

By Rebekah Saylors
Posted June 8, 2023 at 3:40 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Elizabeth Bellows, associate professor of social studies education in Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education, is the awardee of a 2023–24 Fulbright, which supports her upcoming research project “Teaching Amidst the War: Refugee Experiences in Romanian Schools.”

“Narratives are at the heart of how we construct history, and telling our stories is the mechanism for prioritizing humanity, understanding difference and growing empathy.”

2023–24 Fulbright recipient and App State associate professor Dr. Elizabeth Bellows

Beginning in October, Bellows will spend nine months in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where she will engage in cross-cultural research, gathering information from teachers, students and families — including refugees from Ukraine. Her aim is to tell their stories of navigating the effects of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

For over 75 years, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit as well as leadership potential — the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

“Narratives are at the heart of how we construct history, and telling our stories is the mechanism for prioritizing humanity, understanding difference and growing empathy,” said Bellows.

Bellows said she hopes her project can offer “a contemporary global perspective on the effects of war on schools and communities in neighboring countries, amplifying the voices of teachers and youth in order to inform future research or curriculum development about teaching during times of war.”

The appointment will be a return to the Transylvanian region of Romania for Bellows, who lived and conducted research there in 2011 as part of a study abroad program. Her research explored the civic identities expressed by Hungarian and Romanian youths. She also taught and mentored graduate students in the field of qualitative research.

About Dr. Elizabeth Bellows

As a faculty member in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Bellows teaches courses on social studies and teacher education methods in App State’s elementary and middle grades programs. She has taught undergraduate courses in secondary social studies methods, classroom management, assessment and lesson design, along with graduate courses in assessment and elementary mathematics methods and curriculum theory in the university’s doctoral program in educational leadership.

Her research broadly investigates intersections of critical social studies and teacher education, historical research as it relates to social studies education, and international inquiry about social studies education in Romania.

Bellows has served as the Reich College of Education’s Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence, and from 2018 to 2022 she was a coordinator on App State’s Inclusive Excellence Team.

She currently serves on the Faculty Advisory Board for the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies at App State and is co-founder of the annual Elementary Social Studies Education National Summit, established in 2019.

Bellows has published five book chapters as well as numerous articles, which have appeared in the peer-reviewed journals Social Studies and the Young Learner, Social Studies Research and Practice, and the Journal of International Social Studies, among others. She is co-editor of the book “Re(imagining) Elementary Social Studies Education: A Controversial Issues Reader.”

For information about how to apply for faculty and staff Fulbright awards, as well as more information regarding international scholarship assistance, visit the Office of International Education and Development website.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

App State Fulbright support
App State Fulbright support

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

At App State, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is supported by the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research, and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is facilitated through the university’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, a unit within University College.

According to OIED, the Fulbright Program’s benefits include:

  • Academic exchange with colleagues and students in other countries.
  • Exchange of knowledge with the Appalachian Community upon return.
  • Development of stronger intercultural communication skills.
  • Broader understanding of and empathy for other cultures.
Learn more
App State honored as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars, students for 2022–23
App State honored as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars, students for 2022–23

The university is one of 3 master’s institutions nationwide to receive the honor

Feb. 15, 2023

App State has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright students and scholars for 2022–23, with two faculty and four alumni receiving a Fulbright to teach, perform research and/or study abroad. This marks the third time the university has received this honor in the past four academic years.

Read the story

About the Reich College of Education

Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs, with offerings that span multiple fields — from teacher preparation, counseling, and therapy, to higher education, school and student affairs administration, library science, educational leadership and more. With over 10,000 alumni employed in North Carolina public schools, there is at least one Reich College graduate in every county in the state. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.

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, affordable education for all. 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 https://www.appstate.edu.

“Narratives are at the heart of how we construct history, and telling our stories is the mechanism for prioritizing humanity, understanding difference and growing empathy.”

2023–24 Fulbright recipient and App State associate professor Dr. Elizabeth Bellows

App State Fulbright support
App State Fulbright support

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

At App State, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is supported by the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research, and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is facilitated through the university’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, a unit within University College.

According to OIED, the Fulbright Program’s benefits include:

  • Academic exchange with colleagues and students in other countries.
  • Exchange of knowledge with the Appalachian Community upon return.
  • Development of stronger intercultural communication skills.
  • Broader understanding of and empathy for other cultures.
Learn more
App State honored as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars, students for 2022–23
App State honored as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars, students for 2022–23

The university is one of 3 master’s institutions nationwide to receive the honor

Feb. 15, 2023

App State has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright students and scholars for 2022–23, with two faculty and four alumni receiving a Fulbright to teach, perform research and/or study abroad. This marks the third time the university has received this honor in the past four academic years.

Read the story

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Global
  • Research and Creative Works

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Global
  • Research and Creative Works

Other Recent Posts

  • 20 App State ROTC cadets commissioned to serve as Army second lieutenants
    20 App State ROTC cadets commissioned to serve as Army second lieutenants
  • App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
    App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
  • Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
    Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
  • App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
    App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
  • App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
    App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat