Two Colgate University seniors, Srikar Gullapalli and Rebekah Ward, were awarded $25,000 Watson Fellowships to conduct independent research abroad for one year. Gullapalli will study political accountability structures in Australia, Venezuela, the UK, Egypt and Russia. Ward will examine bias and challenges faced by Roma populations in the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania and Brazil. The Watson Fellowship allows 40 graduating college seniors to travel the world each year in pursuit of immersive international research experiences.

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Colgate students awarded Watson Fellowships
By Daniel DeVries on March 19, 2013
Rebekah Ward ‘13 is one of two Colgate students recently selected as Watson Fellows.
(Photo by Janna Minehart ’13)
Thanks to newly awarded Watson Fellowships, two Colgate seniors will travel the globe next year to conduct
research ranging from political accountability in countries like Egypt and Russia, to bias toward Gypsy
populations in Europe.
The prestigious Watson Fellowship is a one­year $25,000 grant for independent study and travel outside the
United States, awarded to graduating seniors. Colgate University is one of 40 institutions of higher education
participating in the Watson Fellowship program.
Srikar Gullapalli ’13, a math major from Bangalore, India, and Rebekah Ward ’13, a psychology and peace and
conflict studies double major from Montreal, Canada, are two of just 40 announced Watson Fellowships for
2013­2014.
Gullapalli plans to travel to Australia, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Russia for his research
titled: Government for the People: Local Accountability Structures and Political Dialogue.
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Srikar Gullapalli ‘13
Gullapalli is interested in political accountability structures and local citizen­government relationships at the
city and community levels. He plans to interview citizens, non­governmental organizations, media, local
officials and politicians, along with taking part in town halls, protest rallies, and engaging with students.
Gullapalli said, “The local level is most important for public welfare and where most corruption and
inefficiency occurs. This is the level that citizens can hold accountable and have the most impact on through
political dialogue and innovations in social activism.”
Gullapalli is also a two­time recipient of Colgate’s Lampert Fellowship for Summer Research.
Ward’s research focuses on the interaction of Roma, also known as “Gypsies,” one of the most widespread
minorities in the world. Ward plans to travel to the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Hungary,
Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, and Brazil for her project titled: Unraveling Bias and Conviction: Roma
Cultural Communication and Activism. Ward seeks to understand how Roma groups communicate their
culture and how tensions and challenges vary depending on state laws and rhetoric. Ward said she plans to
meet Roma activists globally to learn what drives their dedication.
“I’m driven by issues of social justice in general, and that’s been a nagging thing throughout my upbringing
and education. but i didn’t know what to do with it,” said Ward. “What’s appealing about the Watson is that its
really an experience­driven research opportunity, and that’s what makes it so unique and sought after.”
Ward is a shooting guard on the women’s basketball team, a senior copy editor and writer for the Maroon­
News, and president of the Anti­Racism Coalition.
Some past Colgate Watson fellows studied cultural differences in the value of whales, Rubik’s (cube)
resurgence across cultures, the ecology of medicinal plant markets, and the light and dark side of cocoa
production, according to the Colgate Office of National Fellowships.
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