2014-2015

News Release

REF NO.: 171

SUBJECT: Memorial University alumna awarded Trudeau Scholarship

DATE: June 9, 2015

An alumna of Memorial University’s Faculty of Arts has been awarded a coveted scholarship from the Trudeau Foundation.

Erin Aylward studied Spanish and political science at the St. John’s campus and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. She is applying her background in international development to explore the influence of global advocacy and diplomacy of LGBTQ rights on public opinion and political action in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the Trudeau Foundation, Ms. Aylward and the other 15 Trudeau scholars are exceptional students who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, civic engagement and a commitment to reaching beyond academic circles.  The cohort joins a network of some 370 promising researchers, outstanding intellectuals and seasoned decision-makers committed to applying their knowledge and skills to pressing Canadian and global issues.

 About the Trudeau scholarships

Over their three-year doctoral scholarships, Trudeau Scholars work with an engaged and inspiring community of scholars, mentors and fellows that accelerates their professional growth. As part of the $60,000 annual package, Trudeau scholarships include a $20,000 travel and networking allowance that facilitates scholars’ fieldwork and helps them organize and participate in global research and foundation events. Since the program’s inception in 2003, the foundation has awarded 187 scholarships representing an investment of $20 million in Canada’s intellectual leadership.

About the Foundation

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is an independent and non-partisan charity established in 2001 as a living memory to the former prime minister by his family, friends and colleagues. In 2002, with the support of the House of Commons, the Government of Canada endowed the foundation with the Advanced Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences Fund. The foundation also benefits from private donations. By granting doctoral scholarships, awarding fellowships, appointing mentors and holding public events, the foundation encourages critical reflection and action in four areas important to Canadians: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada’s role in the world, and people and their natural environment.

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