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Congratulations are in order for a University of Kentucky husband and wife team – Philosophy Professor Stefan Bird-Pollan and College of Law Professor Jennifer Bird-Pollan. They are first-time recipients of Fulbright Visiting Professorships, given by the Fulbright Scholar Program.

A Fulbright award sends U.S. scholars to foreign countries for academic exchange. Currently 155 countries participate in the Fulbright Scholar Program. Ultimately this program will help lead to a more peaceful, prosperous world.

The Bird-Pollans spent a year in Vienna in 2003-2004, when they were both graduate students in Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. During the same period, their daughter, Anna, was born. This time, they will be returning as Professors, and Anna and her little sister, Lena, will be joining them.

Stefan will be the Fulbright Visiting Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Vienna during the Fall 2014 semester. While there, he will be teaching Contemporary Ethical Theory and working on his book manuscript interpreting Kantian ethics.

“It’s really very nice to have been chosen from all those who had applied to teach in the humanities and social sciences at the University of Vienna,” says Stefan.

Jennifer will be joining the family in Austria in December for her Spring 2015 semester award.

“It’s pretty exciting!” exclaims Jennifer. “We’re really looking forward to it!”

Jennifer will be the Fulbright Visiting Professor at the Vienna University of Business and Economics (the Wirtschafts Universität, or the “WU”) and will teach a course on U.S. Tax Law. Jennifer’s appointment will allow her to participate in the Institute for International Tax Law and Policy, which is housed in the University. Since the WU offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in law, she will have the opportunity to teach both international undergraduates and graduates at the Institute. She will also attend a variety of conferences and symposia that the University hosts throughout the semester and really engage within the community.

“While I love my colleagues here at UK, I’m excited to spend a semester surrounded by tax scholars,” says Jennifer. “I won’t have to worry that I’m boring them with long discussions of complicated statutory provisions.”

The Bird-Pollans plan to enjoy Vienna by attending symphonies, visiting coffee houses, and taking part in cultural activities. Stefan is looking forward to writing his second book on Kant’s ethical theory. While Jennifer is also looking forward to the academic opportunities offered by the Fulbright, she’s also excited to attend her first ball – but only after receiving Fulbright sponsored dance lessons!

Cheers to the new Fulbrighters as they embark on this journey!

The Bird-Pollans are featured in TaxProf Blog, A Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network.