Curtin University is celebrating the success of three outstanding scholars recognised in the prestigious 2026 Fulbright Scholarship Program, reinforcing the University’s commitment to world-class research and global collaboration.
Curtin University Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Stephanie Milford and Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre PhD candidate Michael Windsor have each been awarded Fulbright Western Australia Scholarships, while Dr Michael Hewitt, Ralph Marotta Endowed Chair of Free Enterprise at Loyola University Chicago, will come to Perth as the 2026 Fulbright Curtin University Scholar.
The awards reflect the two-way nature of the Fulbright Program with Dr Milford and Mr Windsor heading to the United States for research placements, while Professor Hewitt will travel from Chicago to Perth to work alongside Curtin researchers.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said achieving three Fulbright scholars in one year was an extraordinary result for the University.
“To have three scholars recognised in the same year is a remarkable achievement and speaks to the depth of talent and ambition within our research community,” Professor Hayne said.
“The Fulbright Program represents the gold standard in international academic exchange. This outcome reflects Curtin’s strong global partnerships and our commitment to research excellence that delivers meaningful global impact.”
Fulbright Australia Executive Director Dr Varuni Kulasekera said the the 2026 scholars demonstrated the power of international collaboration between WA and the United States of America.
“This year’s Fulbright Scholars connected to Western Australia reflect the remarkable depth of talent and innovation across the state. Whether travelling to the United States or coming to WA to collaborate with local partners, these scholars embody the spirit of curiosity and collaboration that defines the Fulbright experience,” Dr Kulasekera said.
“Their work strengthens not only academic partnerships but also the people-to-people connections that underpin the enduring relationship between Australia and the United States of America.”
Fulbright Australia is a foreign exchange scholarship program that is sponsored by the United States and Australian governments and offers scholarships aimed at increasing bi-national research and cultural exchange.
The Fulbright program, developed after World War II, has awarded scholarships to thousands of students, academics and professors across more than 160 countries.
Further information about the Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship can be found here.
More information about each of the Scholar’s is available below:
Supporting children’s wellbeing in a digital world
Dr Milford is an education researcher and academic at Curtin’s ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, where her work examines digital parenting and early childhood development. Focusing on parental self-efficacy, uncertainty and social judgement in children’s digital lives, her research employs mixed-methods, policy-relevant and community-engaged approaches and has been published in peer-reviewed journals. She is also a registered psychologist and supervisor.
Dr Milford will be hosted by Florida International University, to investigate how caregivers’ use of screen media to soothe distressed young children relates to emerging self-regulation, with particular attention to parental emotional tolerance and stress. The project aims to inform evidence based guidance for families, practitioners and policymakers navigating the realities of raising children in a digital world.
Understanding how where we live shapes how we age
Mr Windsor, a PhD candidate at Curtin and researcher with the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, studies how the environments in which people live shape health and wellbeing outcomes. His research explores how different ways of living influence factors such as obesity and broader life trajectories.
Through his Fulbright Scholarship, he will be hosted by Yale University, working to examine the place-based determinants of Alzheimer’s disease. The project will investigate whether who you are or where you live plays a more significant role in shaping Alzheimer’s risk.
Powering the transition to electric mining
As the 2026 Fulbright Curtin University Scholar, Professor Hewitt brings internationally recognised expertise in operations research, focusing on analytical techniques to support decision-making in transportation and supply chain management, particularly freight transportation.
During his time at Curtin, Professor Hewitt will collaborate with researchers to identify the infrastructure required to support the use of electric heavy-duty vehicles in mining operations. His project will explore the operational, economic and logistical systems needed to enable large-scale electrification across the resources sector, supporting industry efforts to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity.
