Jason Scott Smith, professor in the Department of History at The University of New Mexico, has been selected as the Mary Ball Washington Professor of American History at the University College Dublin School of History.

"Teaching American history to an international student body promises to be a fascinating experience," Smith said. "I look forward to bringing a new perspective back into my classroom when I return to UNM."

The Mary Ball Washington Chair is one of the oldest and most prestigious Fulbright Chairs in American History. According to University College Dublin’s (UCD) website, the professorship, which is supported by the Fulbright Commission, was established in 1975 and has been held by several extremely distinguished historians.

UCD regards the position as a “crucial benefit for those teaching history at UCD, as providing a point of contact with the historical profession in the United States and as helping to interest generations of Irish students in the history of United States of America.” Fulbright Alumni include Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Professor Smith’s research interests include specializations in 20th Century America and the history of capitalism. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley before holding fellowships at Harvard & Cornell prior to joining the UNM faculty.