"Specifically I will be focusing on the way local nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations in the state of Queensland implement the government's plan to end domestic violence," Haldane said. "My key interest is to research how indigenous frontline workers translate the plan into meaningful practice to address violence in their communities. I will work to identify gaps in the service delivery for indigenous communities that need to be brought to the attention of state and federal officials. This is based on preliminary research carried out in May 2015 that suggests this is the case."

Haldane will be in residence at the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research at Central Queensland University, Mackay, from February to May 2017.

Research shows there is a strong link between violence against women and their children and how people view the female and male gender roles. In Australia, roughly one in three women has experienced physical violence, and almost one in five has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

In 2010, Australia started its 12-year national plan to end domestic violence, which strives to reduce violence against women and their children; increase the number of women who feel safe in the community; reduce the number of people who die because of domestic violence or sexual assault; and reduce the number of children who witness violence in the home.

"Australians have been grappling with the issues of family and domestic violence for decades, and have ideas about how to address violence that could inform our own approaches here in the United States," Haldane said. "The unique aspect of a Fulbright is it mirrors my own perspective as an anthropologist about how we should engage the world. People in other cultural contexts have lessons to teach us and we must learn from them to solve human problems."

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Roughly 1,600 U.S. students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 U.S. scholars, and 900 visiting scholars receive awards, in addition to several hundred teachers and professionals. Approximately 310,000 "Fulbrighters" have participated in the program since its inception.

"The Fulbright Scholars Program is a wonderful program that affords me the opportunity to carry out research while supporting my engagement with local scholars and community members," Haldane said. "I am truly honored to be selected for this prestigious award, and am proud to be one of a growing number of Quinnipiac faculty who have received a Fulbright."