Global reach of Rotary Peace Fellows showcased

The global impact of the Rotary Peace Fellowship at the University of Bradford has been celebrated as the prestigious scheme looks to recruit future scholars.

Bradford’s current group of Rotary Peace Fellows joined some of the 2026-27 academic year cohort to highlight the work of the Fellowship, which is looking for Bradford applicants for the 2027-28 academic year.

What is the Rotary Peace Fellowship?

Since 2002, Rotary International annually awards 170-funded fellowships to people from around the world to study at one of the organisation’s peace centres.

The University of Bradford hosts 10 fully-funded professionals in peace and development for the Rotary Peace Fellowship each year, offering Master’s degrees in Peace, Conflict, and Development.

The 15-month programme includes a three-month summer placement. The students are hosted and supported by the University’s Rotary Peace Centre, one of just seven such sites at universities in the world.

Professor Prathivadi Anand, the University’s Rotary Peace Centre Director, said: “Every year can be great in Bradford but 2027 is a year of celebration including 25 years of Rotary Peace Fellowships at Bradford.”

Scholars’ views

During the University’s Fellowship celebration event, this year’s group of Rotary scholars, from countries including Kenya, Bolivia and Bangladesh, discussed their experiences while at Bradford.

Hunter Levy, from Idaho, USA, studying MA International Development Management at Bradford, said: “We all study and live together, so we’re sharing these experiences and exchanging our plans. That has had the most profound effect on me. You learn as much outside of the classroom as you do inside.

“It’s not just about your professional expertise. Future scholars need to think about who they are as a whole person. What makes them interesting, dynamic and unique. You are not just going to be in a classroom.”

Ifenla Oligbinde, from Nigeria, studying MA Peace, Conflict and Development, and the President of Drama Society, said: “We stay in the same apartment that encourages more shared experiences, including fellows’ birthdays.

“On this scholarship, I have started practicing what I am learning on campus, which has also informed my dissertation focus area.”

Global impact

Tom Woodhouse, Emeritus Professor, Peace Studies and International Development at the University of Bradford, said: “During a long and rewarding career in Peace Studies at Bradford, one of the highlights has been my association with the Rotary Peace Fellows programme.

“My continued association with Rotary Peace Fellows makes me aware of the huge impact the programme has had globally. Bradford is a flagship centre for peace education and a great example of Making Knowledge Work, the mission statement of the university.”

Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at the university, said: “Over the years we have had such good students as Rotary Peace Fellows. It has been exceptionally good for the university.”

Rotary International awards 170-funded fellowships to people from around the world to study at one of the organisation’s peace centres.

Go to rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships to apply for a Rotary Peace Fellowship for the 2027-28 academic year. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2026.

 

Image caption (above): All 10 of this year’s Rotary Peace Fellowship students at the University of Bradford. Images credit: University of Bradford