University Professor at Park Given Third Fulbright Scholar Award
Steve Youngblood Returns as Fulbright Scholar in Moldova
Steve Youngblood, a resident of Parkville, Missouri, and an associate professor of communication arts at Park University, has been selected as a 2023-24 Fulbright Scholar. This marks his third time receiving the prestigious award, having previously taught in Moldova in 2001 and Azerbaijan in 2007.
Youngblood, who is also the director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University, will be teaching at Moldova State University in Chisinău during the 2023-24 academic year. His project in Moldova will focus on peace journalism and countering misinformation.
Moldova, a small Eastern European country geographically surrounded by Ukraine on three sides, faces political and social tensions, particularly in relation to its geopolitical challenges and information environment. Youngblood's work aims to enhance the capacity of local journalists to report responsibly in this complex context.
During his time in Moldova, Youngblood will work with two journalism organizations and a youth organization. His efforts will focus on promoting media practices that focus on conflict resolution, understanding, and impartial reporting rather than sensationalism or divisive narratives.
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program, is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations also provide support for the program. Fulbright Scholars often continue research collaborations started abroad and lay the groundwork for future partnerships.
Youngblood's work in Moldova is not his first foray into promoting peace journalism. He has taught peace journalism in 45 countries and territories worldwide and was awarded the 2020-21 Luxembourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Peace Journalism. His service to global peace has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of State and Rotary International.
As the editor of The Peace Journalist, a semi-annual Park University publication, Youngblood is committed to promoting peace journalism principles. By emphasizing fact-based reporting and countering misinformation, his work seeks to contribute to a more informed public discourse and reduce the spread of false or inflammatory content, which is crucial in maintaining social cohesion and supporting democratic processes.
For more detailed information about Youngblood's project's outcomes, partners, or activities, one may refer to the Fulbright Program archives or direct publications or reports by Steve Youngblood, if publicly available.
Steve Youngblood's return as a Fulbright Scholar in Moldova will be focused on education and self-development, particularly promoting personal growth through mindfulness and learning. He will teach peace journalism at Moldova State University, aiming to enhance the capacity of local journalists with online education and countering misinformation.
