GW Professor, Sarah Orndorff, PhD, Accepted into Fulbright Scholar Program to Train Public Health Students in Albania and Conduct Research on Gender-based Violence

Sarah Orndorff, PhD, adjunct assistant professor, Department of Global Health in GW's School of Public Health and Health Services, is the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship that will be used to teach and train public health students at the University of Tirana, Albania, on qualitative data gathering and analysis. Orndorff will also be conducting research into gender-based, intimate partner violence.

"I am very excited about the work that I will be doing in Albania. From an anthropological perspective, Albania will be very interesting because the country has been closed for 40 years but in late 2006 they passed an impressive new law directly addressing intimate partner violence. Having only a few years ago been under the strict rule of an isolationist dictator, Albania's ability to adapt its legislation to the needs of its people, in particular, the Albanian women's ability to do so, shows its resilience and adeptness. It will be exciting research," said Dr. Orndorff.

While in Albania, Dr. Orndorff will be working together with Dr. Genc Burazeri, another Fulbright Scholar who came to GW in 2007 and taught quantitative methods in the Department of Global Health. The two scholars will assess the situation of intimate partner violence using qualitative methods and draw attention to the existing support networks for women who survive the abuse.

"We are delighted that Dr. Orndorff is a part of the prestigious Fulbright Scholars Program, and we support her efforts in every way possible," said Ruth J. Katz, JD, MPH, dean, School of Public Health and Health Services. "The outcome of her work will positively impact the lives of women living in Albania. We are proud of her contribution and her dedication to public health in our global community."

The traditional Fulbright Scholar Program sends 800 U.S. faculty and professionals abroad each year. Grantees lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Under a cooperative agreement with the Bureau, the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) assists in the administration of the Fulbright Scholar Program for faculty and professionals.