LSU’S Zack Godshall Connects River Communities Worldwide Through Fulbright Award

As Louisiana’s coastlines and rivers continually shift, people and communities along the Gulf Coast must adapt. Understanding these shifts is vital for both local and global river-

based societies. 

Zack Godshall, associate professor in the Department of English in the LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences and Sundance Film Festival alumnus, is confronting this challenge through a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award in the Netherlands. This Spring, he will share his expertise gained from two decades of documenting Louisiana’s waterways, researching rivers and coastal communities, and advancing the practice of filmmaking rooted in place. 

Godshall’s award, made possible by the Fulbright Program, is a prestigious international exchange sponsored by the U.S. government that allows professionals the opportunity to teach and conduct research abroad. The program fosters cultural exchange, build global collaboration, and create long-term partnerships between countries. 

“While I do hope my term as a Fulbright Scholar leads to a film or two, or three,” Godshall said, “my main goal is to establish a mode for sharing stories and images between Louisiana and the Netherlands, so that we might better understand our shared hopes and fears about the changes in our environments and boldly face the future.” 

As a result of his years of experience in the field telling stories with and about communities, Godshall brings to the classroom a unique perspective shaped by lived practice. His teaching gives students a deeper understanding of place and culture, thus broadening their knowledge while equipping them with tools for collaboration. His time as a Fulbright Scholar in the Netherlands undoubtedly will enrich the experience of the next generation of storytellers here at LSU. 

“Congratulations to Professor Godshall on this outstanding honor. His work exemplifies the transformative power of humanities research, forging connections between people, places, and stories in Louisiana and around the world,” said Michael Pasquier, interim dean of the LSU College of Humanities & Social Sciences. “Through his scholarship and storytelling, he continues to expand the reach of LSU’s mission and inspire our students to address global challenges and foster cultural understanding.” 

The impact of Godshall’s work and the study of film extends its reach beyond the classroom, empowering faculty, students, and global partners to confront challenges in the real world. Because of his hands-on experience in the field, Godshall brings a perspective shaped not only by scholarship but also by lived practice, knowledge that can only be gained through years of storytelling in communities themselves. His efforts continue to prepare and inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Learn more about the Fulbright Program at https://fulbrightprogram.org.