Karen Barton, Ph.D., professor of Geography, GIS and Sustainability in UNC's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has been selected as a Rotary Peace Fellow by the Rotary Foundation.
According to their website, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace through academic training, practice and global networking opportunities.
Barton is one of 40 peace fellows selected to attend the Makerere University Rotary Peace Center in Uganda, which has a strong emphasis on community-based peacebuilding in African contexts. She will join the fall 2025 cohort with 20 other peace fellows, including two from the United States and the remainder representing a diverse array of countries, particularly from East and Central Africa.
Karen Barton
Barton said the program will allow her to deepen her understanding of peace and development issues while furthering her research on environmental justice and climate resilience. As part of the fellowship, each participant is required to develop and implement a social change initiative.
"My project will focus on mangrove restoration as a tool for climate resilience and peacebuilding. In collaboration with local stakeholders, we will work to establish a Climate Justice Center in Senegal, which will integrate environmental conservation with community-based efforts to address climate change impacts," said Barton. "I am looking forward to applying insights from the Makerere program to advance climate justice and community engagement in West Africa."
The Rotary Peace Centers received 1,573 applications across seven Peace Centers, including two Professional Development Centers and five Master’s Degree Centers for the 2025-26 application season. Following a rigorous four-month selection process, the Rotary Board of Trustees awarded 130 fellowships. The selection process involved multiple stages, including initial screenings, independent evaluations by application readers and a final selection committee meeting in Evanston, Illinois.
Barton said she encourages colleagues and students who are interested in global peace and development work to consider applying for this opportunity. Applications for the 2026-27 Rotary Peace Fellowship application are open through May 15, 2025.
"The Rotary Peace Fellowship is fully funded and supports professionals dedicated to fostering sustainable peace and positive social change," said Barton." If anyone is interested in learning more about the application process, I would be happy to share insights from my experience."
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