American Voices Seminar
The seminar provides an opportunity to learn about various aspects of the American society and culture through the experiences of U.S. Fulbright grantees currently in Finland. 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 32nd American Voices Seminar will be organized on October 10-11, 2025, at the University of Turku.
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.
CV catalog of U.S. Fulbrighters 2025-26
Seminar Program
Friday, October 10
Tauno Nurmela (room I), University main building
14:00–14:15 Welcome/Opening Remarks
Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, University of Turku
Tiina Tuominen, Professor and Deputy Head of School of Languages and Translation Studies, Department of English, University of Turku
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
14:15-15:10 The Unique Cultural Phenomena of Different States
Lake Heath, Keith Brown, Eli Hall, Robert Anzenberger
Chair: Mila Seppälä, Doctoral Researcher, John Morton Center, 2021-22 ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow
15:10-15:15 Greetings from the Fulbright Finland Foundation
Maija Kettunen, Communications Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation
15:15-15:45 Refreshment Break
15:45-16:25 Forests, Wood Products and Housing: How They Can Work Together to Combat Climate Change
Qianlai Zhuang, Sandra Lupien, Edward Becker
Chair: Niko Heikkilä, Postdoctoral Researcher, John Morton Center, 2019-20 ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Award
16:25-16:40 Break
16:40-17:20 American Autumns: Midwestern Festivities, Football and Other Fall Fun
Emily Boyett, T. Beckett F. Christensen, Ariana Blair
Chair: Benita Heiskanen, Professor of North American Studies, John Morton Center, 1999-00 ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Award
End of Program on Friday
Saturday, October 11
Tauno Nurmela (room I), University main building
10:15-10:55 The American Workplace: The Employee Perspective
Robert Bird, Quang "Neo" Bui, Anjali Rameshbabu
Chair: Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
10:55-11:30 Refreshment Break
11:30-12:00 Eroding Trust: The Politics of Science and Health
Kate Thompson, Ana Laguna
Chair: Pekka Kolehmainen, Postdoctoral Fellow, John Morton Center, 2024-25 ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant for a Junior Scholar
12:00-12:50 The (Cult)ure of Trader Joe's
Dana Caldwell, Laya Bommireddy, Amelia Dioguardi, Matthew Flynn
Chair: Hải Nguyễn, Doctoral Researcher, Department of English, University of Turku
12:50 Closing Words
Read about the seminar:
- An Important Part of the University Curriculum - Fulbright Finland News magazine 2/2024
- Fulbright Finland Events and Engagement: the American Voices Seminar - a blog post by 2023-24 Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Student Chase Friel
Previous American Voices programs
| 31st American Voices | The 31st American Voices seminar took place on October 11-12, 2024, at the University of Turku |
| 30th American Voices | The 30th American Voices seminar took place on October 6-7, 2023, at the University of Turku |
| 29th American Voices | The 29th American Voices seminar took place on October 7-8, 2022, at the University of Turku |
| 28th American Voices | The 28th American Voices seminar took place on October 8-9, 2021, at the University of Turku |
| 27th American Voices | The 27th American Voices seminar took place on October 11-12, 2019, at the University of Turku |
| 26th American Voices | The 26th American Voices Seminar took place on October 12-13, 2018, at the University of Turku. |
| 25th American Voices | The 25th American Voices Seminar took place on October 6-7, 2017, at the University of Turku.
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| 24th American Voices | The 24th American Voices Seminar took place on October 7-8, 2016, at the University of Turku. |
| 23rd American Voices | The 23rd American Voices Seminar took place on on October 9-10, 2015, at the University of Turku. |
| 22nd American Voices | The 22nd American Voices Seminar took place on on October 10-11, 2014, at the University of Turku. |
| 21st American Voices | The 21st American Voices Seminar took place on on October 11-12, 2013, at the University of Turku. |
| 20th American Voices | The 20th American Voices Seminar took place on on October 12-13, 2012, at the University of Turku. |