Tell us a little about yourself, where you come from and what you studied at university
My name is Aaron Gallagher and I am a Dublin-born PhD student currently living and working in Washington DC. Thanks to a Fulbright scholarship, I am completing my doctoral studies in media and communication jointly at DCU and the University of Maryland. The focus of my research is on media coverage of professional sports and the relationship between sports organizations, athletes and journalists.
What attracted you to the graduate program?
I have always wanted the opportunity to travel to the United States to learn more about the fascinating sports media industry and how it compares to Europe. After spending part of my doctoral work at the European Olympic Committee in Brussels last year, I wanted to compare my initial research results with new findings from an American perspective.
What does the graduate program look like?
The Fulbright Program was an incredible life experience. It was great to learn from some of America’s top professors in media, journalism and communications who have won Pulitzer Prizes and worked for ESPN, the Washington Post, Sports Illustrated and the New York Times.
I had the opportunity to travel throughout Maryland and Washington DC, to New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Virginia and Pennsylvania for my research and to attend various men’s and women’s professional sporting events such as baseball games, American football, basketball, ice hockey and soccer .
How important is mentoring to you?
I was fortunate to learn from a variety of different mentors in America as part of my Fulbright program. One of the best parts of my Fulbright experience was observing how professors in America do their work.
Seeing how the professors at this university guide their students to become ethical, professional and compassionate young journalists was a great learning experience. I feel that the conversations I have had here in America as part of my doctoral research with various academics, journalists and sports leaders will help me become a better leader and mentor in my own career.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Sport is my biggest passion in life. After completing my doctorate, I see myself continuing to work in the sports and media industry, especially from a communications technology perspective. I want to take all the lessons and insights from my doctoral research and apply them to the real world.
What advice do you have for graduates applying to the program?
The best advice I can give graduate students when applying for a Fulbright scholarship is to just go for it. Fulbright has given me the opportunity to visit places and meet people I never dreamed of. I toured the White House, was a guest at the Irish Embassy in Washington and spoke to an ambassador to the United States about the role of sports diplomacy.
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