Associate Director of the Center for Integrative Studies Dr. Eddie Boucher receives Lilly Fellowship

June 20, 2024 - Patti McDonald

The Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science at Michigan State University would like to congratulate Associate Director Dr. Eddie Boucher, who was recently awarded the Lilly Fellowship for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Lilly Teaching Fellowship Program began in 1991 and has served as “an opportunity to engage in a year-long exploration of the robust scholarship on effective practices in University teaching.” The program has supported Fellows to become future faculty leaders and to inspire a broad range of faculty to pursue excellence in teaching.

Boucher plans on using the funds from the fellowship to create more inclusive and equitable opportunities for students in his Documentary Filmmaking and Social Science Research program, which takes places in Jaipur India over the summer. In partnership with the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design (IICD), Boucher’s program focuses on teaching students how to write, film, and edit their own documentaries. 

"One of my main goals recently was to help create high impact experiential learning opportunities for minoritized students and the Lilly Fellowship funds will help me do just that by allowing us to offer travel grants to students to help them with their plane ticket to India.” 

Boucher said out of pocket travel costs are one of the biggest hurdles students face when deciding whether to explore experiential and study abroad opportunities. 

“Often, that out-of-pocket travel cost is the most difficult hurdle for students, and it can sometimes be insurmountable. I want our study abroad program to be available to anyone who is interested in doing this type of work and I am grateful to be able to help students access this type of opportunity.”

Additionally, Boucher will use the remaining funds to provide cameras, lenses, tripods, and audio equipment to students while they film and edit their documentaries. 

“It is so important that there is consistency among all aspects of the filmmaking process, and I am grateful that through the Lilly Fellowship, we can provide more equipment as students learn these important skills.”