Bentley Professor Chosen For Prestigious Fulbright Fellowship

WALTHAM, MA — A Bentley University professor earned a prestigious Fulbright award for his research into decolonization in Africa.

João Resende-Santos, an associate professor of international studies, received a 2024-2025 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award.

Thanks to the award, Resende-Santos is set to spend part of the next year at the LusoGlobe Research Center at the University of Lusófona in Lisbon, Portugal. There he will pour over newly declassified archives for his forthcoming book on U.S. foreign policy in response to the decolonization of Portugal’s African colonies from 1950 to 1975, university officials said.

“The Fulbright fellowship is one of America’s oldest programs for international cultural and educational exchanges and I’m honored to join its global network of scholars,” said Resende-Santos.

His work centers on the U.S. response to liberation movements in the countries that were once Portuguese colonies, including Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Resende-Santos explained that this period in Africa is often overlooked, but proved to be an interesting element in the Cold War era.

“As declassified materials and archives become available in foreign countries directly involved in major Cold War events, we have a unique opportunity to contribute to a fuller understanding of U.S. policy during this crucial period,” he said.

Resende-Santos joined Bentley in 2001. For more on his publications, achievements and research, click here.