Baylor Economics Professor Wins 2024 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award

Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-327-8012 
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WACO, Texas (Feb. 21, 2024) – Baylor University international trade researcher Lourenco Paz, Ph.D., associate professor of economics at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, has received the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Hungary, a prestigious and competitive fellowship of the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards provides a distinctive opportunity for scholars to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects at a multitude of universities around the world. As the U.S. government’s premier international educational exchange program, the program serves a key role in international diplomacy as scholars build relationships with a nation and their universities. 

As a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, Paz will teach and conduct research in the World Economy Department at Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary. During his time in Budapest, Paz will teach two international trade courses for undergraduate and graduate students while also researching trade agreements that focus on ensuring improved workplace conditions for labor workers. Through his collaboration with the World Economy Department, Paz will develop a new methodology to evaluate whether trade agreement labor clauses improve the working conditions in signatory countries, for example, between the U.S. and Colombia or the U.S. and Peru.

“The award is important because it promotes invaluable research in important fields of knowledge and entails a human dimension of bringing scholars of different countries,” Paz said. “Such an exchange of experiences helps promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries. Personally, this award will raise awareness about the need for research on the intricate relationship between international trade and decent work conditions throughout the world.” 

While in Budapest, Paz also will look to strengthen his network of research collaborators in Europe and build bridges between Baylor and Hungarian universities, foster new research projects in economics and international business and incorporate new knowledge about Hungary and Eastern Europe into the International Trade courses he teaches at Baylor. Paz’s fellow economists in the Hankamer School of Business, including Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D., The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean and professor of economics, are excited about Paz’s Fulbright opportunity to conduct international trade research while he represents Baylor in international collaboration and education.

“Being a Fulbright Scholar is a significant achievement for a faculty member, and we are very proud of Dr. Paz for his award,” said Sandeep Mazumder, Ph.D., The William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean and professor of economics at Baylor. “This will help build partnerships with universities overseas and will help deepen the scholarship that Dr. Paz conducts in the area of international business.”

Pathway to global engagement

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens that lead to enhanced skills, new connections and greater mutual understanding. Baylor faculty and staff can apply for these awards in ways that align with their research and professional interests. Through a collaboration between the Office of Engaged Learning and the Center for Global Engagement, the University has launched a dedicated Baylor Fulbright website – a one-stop portal – for students and faculty and staff considering Fulbright opportunities.

The Center for Global Engagement will meet with faculty who are interested in applying for an award and connect interested faculty members with others who have earned the award or with existing university partners in the world to make connections where Baylor already has relationships, said Eduardo Contreras, Ph.D., vice provost for global engagement.

“Given the wide array of talented faculty and staff on campus, with myriad interests all over the world, these competitive awards are a terrific opportunity for our community,” Contreras said. “Beyond the opportunity to send Baylor scholars into the world with a Fulbright, this is also a way for Baylor to receive visiting scholars who have earned Fulbright awards to visit the United States.”

Global scholars

Paz joins a list of distinguished Baylor faculty members who have received the Fulbright U.S. Scholar award in the past two years, including Kwang Lee, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering, who spent the Fall 2023 semester at Yonsei University in South Korea; Candi K. Cann, Ph.D., associate professor of religion in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core; who spent the Spring 2023 semester teaching and conducting research at Han Nam University in South Korea; and Leslie Palich, Ph.D., The W.A. (Agnes) Mays Professor of Entrepreneurship, who spent the Fall 2022 semester with Dublin City University in Ireland. 

The University will celebrate Baylor Fulbright Day from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, room 506 of the Cashion Academic Center, sponsored by the Office of Engaged Learning, Center for Global Engagement and Office of the Provost. Baylor Fulbright Day will feature information about the Fulbright program for both students, faculty and staff, including how to apply for a Fulbright award for the upcoming Fulbright cycle. Information is available on the Baylor Fulbright website.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business strives to further God’s kingdom through the realm of business, using God-given gifts and academic talents to do so. Faculty and students conduct purposeful research and participate in experiential learning opportunities, all while operating in a Christ-centered mission. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students can earn their MBA on their terms, either through the full-time, online or a Dallas-based executive program. The Business School also offers three Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The School’s top-ranked programs make up approximately 25% of the University’s total enrollment. Visit the Hankamer School of Business website for more information.