View From The Hill
(5/28/09)

Fulbright Scholarship - John All

WKU is known as a leading American University with International reach.

In this week’s “View from the Hill”, Amy Bingham tells us how a geography professor is extending that reach even further by taking his knowledge half way around the world.

Dr. John All has been named a Fulbright Scholar and will head to Nepal in a few months to help one of the poorest nations on earth better manage their resources.

John All likes adventure….
 
“Personally, the reason I was interested in this is because I am a rock climber and mountain climber…”

…Now, the professor who’se already climbed on four continents…will spend six months in the Himalayas.

 “Not only does it give me a great research and professional opportunity, personally I just get to go and experience wonderful things while I’m collecting data.”

Though he won’t be climbing Mt. Everest, All will be in Nepal for six months to study and teach climate change and it’s impact on society.
 
“By studying how vegetation is responding to changes in the Asian monsoon, we can figure out how future changes will impact the entire region.”

All has already done similar environmental research in Bhutan.   The comparison of the two counties could help bring about real long-term sustainability to some of the world’s poorest regions.
 
“If you’ve got a single clear picture regionally..this is what happened for this land use, this is what happened for this land use….then policy makers can make decisions… should we increase subsidies to this land use or should we  increase taxes on this land use?”

Those are the questions Dr. All’s research could help answer…bringing big benefits to the citizens of Nepal and the students at Western Kentucky University.
 
“Fulbright is one of those that allows researchers, students and other people to go share your expertise with countries all across the world.”

Dr. All also has a law degree.  His research in Nepal will be conducted from August through January of next year.
With this week’s View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.