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Denton, Texas – Wesley Edwards, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Administration at the University of North Texas, has been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in education for the 2026–2027 academic year. The award will support Edwards’ semester‑long research residency in Andalucía, Spain, in partnership with the University of Granada. The recognition reflects both Edwards’ individual accomplishments and the broader impact of faculty scholarship within the College of Education.

“Dr. Edwards’ Fulbright Scholar award represents a high-impact recognition of scholarly excellence for the College of Education and affirms the national and international standing of our faculty,” said Dr. Angie Cartwright, Dean of the College of Education. “It highlights the College’s commitment to global engagement, research-informed practice, and academic leadership. Most importantly, it elevates our visibility as a college that supports faculty whose work extends beyond the United States and contributes meaningfully to educational innovation and exchange on a global level.”

Edwards will collaborate with faculty in the university’s Departments of Didactics and School Organization and Didactics of Language and Literature. His project focuses on a growing global issue: how school leaders respond to increasing reliance on temporary teaching contracts and worsening working conditions, factors that contribute to teacher shortages and instability in schools. Through surveys and interviews with principals across Granada, Sevilla, and Málaga, he aims to identify leadership strategies that help schools support and retain teachers.

“This opportunity is a dream come true for me,” Edwards said. “Travel and cultural exchange have always taught me so much because they force me out of my comfort zone. I am certain that my time in Granada will do the same, and I am excited to share that experience with my family.

Expanding Research Through International Collaboration

The international partnership is central to the Fulbright mission, emphasizing collaboration and cultural exchange as tools for addressing complex global challenges. Edwards’ research builds on six years of work examining teacher workforce issues and the role of educational leaders in shaping school conditions. He believes this experience will provide valuable comparative insights and deepen his approach to educational leadership. 

“Conducting fieldwork with faculty at the University of Granada is going to provide me with an international and comparative understanding of teacher workforce challenges,” he explained. “I see the opportunity to address this problem outside of the Texas and U.S. context as a way to gain fresh ideas for solutions to leadership and policy problems when I return home.”

He plans to incorporate these insights into his doctoral course, Social and Cultural Context in Educational Leadership, encouraging students to analyze policy challenges from a comparative, global perspective.

Building Partnerships and Expanding Global Impact

Beyond his research, Edwards sees his Fulbright experience as an opportunity to build meaningful international connections that extend beyond his time abroad.

“The Fulbright U.S. Scholar program is rooted in the idea of partnership as well as cultural and educational exchange,” he said. “I want to learn as much as I can about the leaders, educators, and school communities in Spain. I believe my experience can lead to future partnerships and exchanges between the College of Education at UNT and institutions abroad like the University of Granada.”

Edwards believes those relationships will translate into concrete opportunities for UNT, including visiting scholar exchanges, joint research, and collaborative publications and policy briefs. He also anticipates that this experience has the potential to increase UNT's vilibility in European academic settings.  By focusing on building these connections, Edwards aims not only to expand UNT’s international reach but also to create lasting avenues for collaboration that benefit students, faculty, and educational communities on both sides of the partnership. College leadership sees this opportunity as a catalyst for future growth and global engagement as well.

“I hope Dr. Edwards’ experience in Spain through his Fulbright appointment is both transformative for his scholarship and catalytic for our college. My hope is that he returns with new insights that can be integrated into graduate instruction, research collaborations, and global learning opportunities for students,” said Dr. Cartwright. “Ultimately, I see this as an opportunity to strengthen our global partnerships and expand study abroad and collaborative learning experiences that benefit our district partners, and both our undergraduate and graduate students.”

A Prestigious and Historic Program

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, operates in more than 160 countries and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious international exchange programs in the world. It supports scholars, educators, and professionals in conducting research, teaching, and building partnerships abroad. 

Over its nearly 80-year history, Fulbright has produced an extraordinary network of alumni, including heads of state, Nobel laureates, and leaders across countless fields.  In 2026, the program marks its 80th anniversary, underscoring its enduring role in fostering innovation, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding. 

For Edwards, joining this global community represents both an honor and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. His work in Spain not only addresses urgent educational challenges but also reflects the broader Fulbright mission: building knowledge and connections that transcend borders.