Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.-- Zoe Marks (C’07) of Seattle, was selected by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to receive a Fulbright award to Sierra Leone.

There, she will study and examine the roles of women in the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). She will also interview former participants in the RUF, as well as community and nongovernmental leaders to better understand war as a social process, not just violence.

“With great privilege comes great responsibility, and I have been privileged to know the stories of 33 women formerly affiliated with the RUF,” Marks wrote in her application. “My responsibility now is to represent these women in the male-centric study of war, politics and violence so that their legacy to the world may be one of peace.”

At Georgetown, Marks was a John Carroll Fellow from 2003-2007. Furthering her studies at the University of Oxford, she earned a master's in African Studies and conducted graduate research in Sierra Leone. She is now pursuing a doctorate in politics.

“Indeed her research skills are outstanding, impressively comprehensive, detailed yet concise,” said Eric Langenbacher, visiting assistant professor and Honors Program Director. “Zoe’s writing is extraordinary, revealing the ability to make complex ideas intelligible in a polished and well-organized style. She will contribute greatly to both the intellectual and non-academic components of the program, as well as benefiting immensely from the educational experience.”

The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board was established by Congress for the purpose of supervising the Fulbright Program and certain programs authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act and for the purpose of selecting students, scholars, teachers, trainees, and other persons to participate in the educational exchange programs. Appointed by the President of the United States, the 12-member Board meets quarterly in Washington, D.C. The Board maintains a close relationship with both the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State and the executive directors of all the binational Fulbright Commissions. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, nearly 300,000 Fulbrighters have participated in the program. More information is available here: http://fulbright.state.gov/.

About Georgetown University

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