We are delighted to announce the second annual cohort of University Sabbatical Fellows. With support from the College Deans, the Provost’s Office, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Sabbatical Fellows are awarded a full-year sabbatical to provide much needed time to achieve transformative growth in their research programs.
Ahmed Rahman, Associate Professor, Economics. Dr. Rahman’s project will focus on the economics of education, labor, and leadership within the U.S. Navy. By analyzing the careers of naval officers from the 19th to the 21st century, he aims to answer three questions: What factors influence job changes for high-skilled workers, what makes an effective leader, and how do social connections with classmates, dormmates, and shipmates impact the migration decisions of naval officers after their military service?
Amardeep Singh, Professor, English. Dr. Singh will complete a book project exploring the concept of "catachresis" - the act of (mis)naming by dominant groups as an exertion of power - and its impact on marginalized communities. It will examine historical examples and literary works to illustrate how naming can be a tool for oppression or for resistance. He plans to develop public-facing digital resources alongside the book, including an interactive map focusing on South Asian indigenous communities.
Annabella Pitkin, Associate Professor, Religion, Culture & Society. Dr. Pitkin will use her sabbatical to finish her second book, "Imaginaries of Yogic Display: The Power and Politics of Tibetan Buddhist 'Miracle' Narratives." Her project delves into the political implications of religious discourses surrounding miracles, extraordinary individuals, and political “states of exception”, with the goal of producing a significant scholarly work that contributes to the fields of Religious Studies, Tibetan Studies, and Political Theory.
Debbie Laible, Professor, Psychology. Dr. Laible will use her sabbatical to further build a multidisciplinary research team focused on adolescent white nationalism and far-right extremism. The team aims to understand the factors contributing to the development of these sorts of beliefs, with the ultimate goal of designing and implementing effective interventions to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies. She plans to pursue significant grants from NSF, NIH, or other sources to support this research.
Himanshu Jain, Professor, Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Jain's team has developed a new, energy-efficient fertilizer composition. His sabbatical will involve field testing, building partnerships with US and international experts, and potentially establishing a Center for Sustainable Fertilizers. He also aims to further develop Lehigh's P3 program, which focuses on training PhD students for industry careers.
Please join us in congratulating these five new Sabbatical Fellows, and wishing them and everyone taking a sabbatical next year a productive and energizing experience.
Best wishes,
Dominic Packer
Associate Vice Provost for Research
Anand Jagota
Vice Provost for Research
