The University of Notre Dame Australia is pleased to announce it will welcome the first distinguished visiting researcher as part of a landmark Fulbright partnership formalised in 2024.
Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is one of the world’s most prestigious international educational exchange initiatives, sponsored by the United States Government to promote mutual understanding through academic excellence.
Through its partnership with the Australian‑American Fulbright Commission, Notre Dame continues to strengthen its global academic reputation and expand opportunities for international research collaboration. The agreement enables leading scholars to engage with Notre Dame’s academic community, fostering shared knowledge, innovation and global perspectives.
Notre Dame will host its first scholar under the new partnership. This researcher will be based at the University’s Fremantle campus, where they will collaborate with academics and students on interdisciplinary research projects and public‑facing initiatives.
Professor Liam Callanan
Research - Crossings: A Multi-Genre Creative Writing Exploration into Oceanic Transits and Interactions from the Vantage Point of Western Australia
In collaboration with Notre Dame's School of Arts and Sciences
Liam Callanan is an English Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. His research interests include creative non-fiction, creative writing pedagogy, community-based literature programs and fiction writing. Professor Callanan has contributed to local and national public radio and written for Slate, The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post Magazine and Forbes. His recent novel, When in Rome, was published in 2023.
Professor Callanan previously visited Notre Dame in 2023 delivering a nationally streamed keynote presentation. His forthcoming Fulbright project, Crossings, is based on two decades of investigation and creative writing exploring what it means to cross an ocean and how the act of transit combines histories, beliefs and people.
The project aligns strongly with Notre Dame’s Strategic Plan, particularly the pillar of Universality, which emphasises global interconnectedness and cross‑cultural exchange.
Professor Callanan will be hosted by Dr Helena Kadmos, Dr Ann-Marie McLaren and Associate Professor Deborah Pike to engage in transformative research and bring the community and local organisations together with the University.
More details of a community event showcasing Professor Callanan’s findings will be confirmed closer to the date.
The School of Arts and Sciences looks forward to welcoming Professor Callanan to Notre Dame in 2027.
Notre Dame is proud to announce this forthcoming Fulbright appointment and looks forward to welcoming Professor Callanan in 2026 as part of its continued commitment to global engagement, research excellence and meaningful international partnerships.
Media Contact: media@nd.edu.au