

Thomas C. Barry Information & Ideation Session
The Thomas C. Barry Travel Fellowship supports student-designed projects, research, internships, and public service work that foster learning through unfamiliar contexts, initiative, and real-world engagement.
This information and ideation session is designed for students who are curious about the fellowship and want support developing a compelling project idea. We’ll begin with an overview of the fellowship, eligibility, and examples of past and potential projects. The session will then transition into an interactive human-centered design workshop, where participants will learn a practical framework for identifying challenges, understanding stakeholder needs, and generating project ideas grounded in real-world contexts.
By the end of the session, students should leave with:
A clearer understanding of the Thomas C. Barry Travel Fellowship and application process. Tools for approaching project development through a human-centered lens. At least one potential idea or direction that could serve as the foundation for a fellowship application. Greater confidence in translating personal interests and observations into a meaningful, self-directed project.
Whether you already have a project in mind or are starting with a blank page, this session will help you move from curiosity to a concrete concept.