Orçun Selçuk receives Fulbright Global Scholar Award

Orçun Selçuk, associate professor of political science and director of the International Studies Program at Luther College, has been selected for a Fulbright Global Scholar Award for 2026-27. The prestigious Fulbright Global Scholar Award encourages international connections and fosters understanding and cooperation across nations.

Orçun Selçuk

Selçuk plans to research social and political cleavages in Colombia, Ecuador and Turkey during his sabbatical leave in the spring 2027 semester.

“Colombia, Ecuador and Turkey may seem like an unlikely combination at first. However, all three countries have deeply rooted social divisions that contribute to the rise of polarizing leaders,” Selçuk said.

During his research, Selçuk will collaborate with scholars at the Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, and Özyeğin University in Istanbul, Turkey.

“I am proud to represent Luther College through this multi-country and cross-regional sabbatical project. I hope it will open new doors for our students and faculty through future partnerships with my host institutions in Bogotá, Quito and Istanbul.”

Selçuk joined Luther College in 2019. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from Florida International University. He regularly teaches courses in global politics, Latin American politics and comparative politics. He is the faculty advisor to Luther’s Model United Nations student organization.

In 2025, Selçuk was named the Rev. John and Barbara Melin Professor in International Studies at Luther College. This endowed professorship was established by Rev. John Melin ’70 (1947-2024) and Barbara Melin. The award recognizes the critical role that dedicated faculty in the international studies program at Luther play in a globalized world where international concerns impact almost all areas of our lives.

Selçuk’s book, “The Authoritarian Divide: Populism, Propaganda, and Polarization,” which examines the relationship between populism and polarization through leaders in Turkey, Venezuela and Ecuador, was published in 2024 by the University of Notre Dame Press.

About the Fulbright Program 

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 as a bold investment in global peace and American prosperity through educational and cultural exchange. The Fulbright Program is marking its 80th anniversary in 2026, which coincides with America’s 250th anniversary celebration. This dual milestone provides an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the Fulbright Program’s role in America’s legacy of leadership, innovation, international collaboration, and American excellence.

Fulbright provides opportunities for exceptional Americans and participants from 160 countries and locations to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. For eight decades, Fulbrighters have been leaders at the forefront of discovery and innovation, conducting cutting edge research, advancing critical industries, and preparing future generations with new skills and perspectives. Fulbrighters have included 46 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 83 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders in all sectors and industries across the United States and around the world.