American Voices Seminar
Time
The 33rd American Voices Seminar celebrates the kaleidoscope of American cultures and the 250th anniversary of the United States! Join the seminar to learn about various aspects of U.S. society and culture through the experiences of U.S. Fulbright Finland grantees.
The seminar is organized by the Fulbright Finland Foundation, the Department of English at the University of Turku, and the John Morton Center for North American Studies.
The seminar is open to the public and free of charge, and you are warmly welcome to attend either individual sessions or stay for the full two-day program.
You have an opportunity to visit the Fulbright Finland Foundation stand outside the seminar hall for information on studying in and on scholarship opportunities to the U.S.
Program
Sessions in Tauno Nurmela Hall, Main Building
Friday, October 9
13:30–13:45 Welcome!
- Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
- Maija S. Peltola, Vice-rector, University of Turku
- Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
13:45–14:35 The American College Experience: What You Don't See in the Movies
- Paul Umbach, Fulbright-Tampere University Scholar Award
- Anne Langendorfer, Fulbright-Tampere University Scholar Award
- Anita Wagner, Fulbright-Saastamoinen Foundation Grant in Health and Environmental Sciences
- Shelley Stephenson, Fulbright Specialist Program
Chair: Niko Heikkilä, Postdoctoral Researcher, John Morton Center, 2019-20 ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Award
14:35–15:15 American Intercultural Experiences
- Sophia Farrand, Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Award
- Sarah Washburn, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award
- Cameron Strang, Bicentennial Chair in North American Studies sponsored by the Fulbright Finland Foundation and the University of Helsinki
Chair: Jaakko Dickman, Doctoral Researcher, John Morton Center, 2025-26 ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow
15:15–15:20 Greetings from the Fulbright Finland Foundation and Finlandia Foundation National
- TBC, Fulbright Finland Foundation
- Tommy Flanagan, Executive Director, Finlandia Foundation National
15:20–15:45 Refreshment Break
15:45–16:35 Immigrant Families
- Edgar Arriaga, Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair
- Fatiha Bazouche, Fulbright Finland Doctoral Award
- Steven Girard, Fulbright-University of Turku Scholar Award
- Reza Rejaie, Fulbright-Nokia Distinguished Chair in Information and Communications Technologies
Chair: Benita Heiskanen, Professor of North American Studies, John Morton Center, 1999-2000 ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Award
16:35–16:45 Break
16:45–17:35 This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween!
- Mya Parr, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award
- Dallianny Perez Lantigua, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award
- Jessica Schonhoff, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award
- Emily Curran, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award
Chair: Hải Nguyễn, Doctoral Researcher, Department of English
End of program on Friday
Saturday, 10 October
10:15–11:05 What Americans Watch, Wear, Buy, and Cheer For: An Informal Look at American Popular Culture and What It Reveals About American Life
- Christine Farley, Fulbright-Hanken Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics
- Zaeem Zia, Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award
- Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan, Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award
- Wensong Yu, Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award
Chair: Olli Saukko, University Teacher, John Morton Center
11:05–11:30 Refreshment Break
11:30–12:10 Interpersonal Communication Norms in America: Small Talk, Acquaintanceships, Nonverbal Cues, and More
- Elizabeth Lawrence, Fulbright-University of Jyväskylä Graduate Award
- Kathryn Lambright, Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Award
- Abigail Lateer, Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Award
Chair: Pekka Kolehmainen, Postdoctoral Researcher, John Morton Center, 2024-25 ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant for a Junior Scholar
12.10–13:00 Take a Road Trip with Us! Landscapes of the American West
- Mindy Crandall, Fulbright-Saastamoinen Foundation Grant in Health and Environmental Sciences
- Kade Keranen, Fulbright-University of Oulu Scholar Award
- Kalei Combs, Mid-Career Professional Development Program (MCPD)
- Morgan Halley-Gluesing, Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award
Chair: Mila Seppälä, Postdoctoral Researcher, John Morton Center, 2021-22 ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow
13:00 Closing Words