With a passion for research of Ireland’s business and culture crossroads, LSBE’s Linda Rochford, associate professor of marketing, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Ireland in Business.
Adding to this momentous distinction, Dr. Rochford also has been selected by the University of Minnesota Retirees Association to receive a 2020–21 Professional Development Grant for Retirees. Grants are awarded for the pursuit of projects related to research and professional development for faculty, professional and administrative, and civil service employees from all U of M campuses when they are fully retired.
"I am thrilled and honored to be named a Fulbright Scholar for Ireland. I have had a life-long career interest in innovation, and I am looking forward to having the Fulbright and UMRA grant support and time to pursue a project that is near to my heart."
Her Fulbright and grant come as Rochford segues into a new phase of her career. She will be leaving UMD in May to continue her research and exploration in the wider world. “I would like to work and live in Europe on a part-time basis after the Fulbright.”
Utilizing both the UMRA grant and Fulbright Award, Rochford will conduct research on "Overcoming Barriers and Borders to Innovation." Her project focuses on understanding the factors that influence successful innovation and entrepreneurship in Ireland’s northwest along the border between the Republic of Ireland (i.e., County Donegal) and Northern Ireland. This geographically remote area of the Republic of Ireland has historically faced educational and economic disadvantages.
To gather data and insight, Rochford will conduct in-depth case studies with companies and organizations in the region. Additionally, her research will be used to help develop curriculum for a study abroad program focused on innovation at Letterkenny Institute of Technology in Ireland.
For eight years, Rochford has offered the successful Innovation in Ireland short-term study abroad program that she developed. More than 110 students have joined her to learn more about the Emerald Isle.
“My experience, studies, and contacts there have deepened my appreciation for the country and people of Ireland,” she said.
However, as with many things, COVID-19 has put travel into a holding pattern. “A lot of my plans are still up in the air given the current situation,” said Rochford. “But I hope to be in Ireland late summer/early fall for up to a month to do a lot of the ground work for the Fulbright project. The actual Fulbright semester will begin January 2021.”
Rochford has been a professor at LSBE for 27 years. In addition to the Innovation in Ireland program, she teaches classes primarily on marketing management and strategy as well as the developing and marketing new products course.
Throughout the past two-plus decades, many of her students have given her high praise. Comments from anonymous student reviews include, “I learned a lot in this class because she kept it interesting and challenging. One of the best professors in LSBE.”
“Linda's a great prof. She gets you ready for the real world by supplying you with all the info/resources necessary yet leaving the rest up to you. Case studies are hard but you figure them out. She is a tough grader on everything though. One of the only classes that has forced me to really apply myself thus far, so I appreciated her and her class.
“Linda is the best professor I have ever had at UMD. Most knowledgeable and available outside of class. Be sure to attend! Challenges you to push yourself out of your academic comfort zone. Highly recommend but be prepared to learn.”
Dr. Rochford is one of over 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, conduct research, and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2020-2021 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. Fulbright winners include 59 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 84 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It has given more than 390,000 individuals the ability to address critical global challenges in all disciplines, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States.
Photo: Professor Rochford with her Innovation in Ireland Students at the Galway Clinic