Catherine Roach, a University of Alabama New College professor, has received a Fulbright-University of Leeds Distinguished Chair Award for 2013-14 to spend time researching and speaking overseas.

One award is offered each year to a United States citizen who has substantially contributed to the University of Leeds through seminars and academic development. In total, the Distinguished Chair Program offers 40 fellowships in the United States.

During this upcoming year, Roach will spend her time at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Natalie Adams, director of New College, said Roach is an instrumental part to the New College staff.

“Dr. Roach is an exemplary teacher, colleague, and scholar who has been a vital part of New College since arriving at UA from Harvard in 1998,” Adams said. “She is a very disciplined writer and a caring, accessible professor.”

Roach has published academic books, research articles, book chapters and essays and has also written romance novels under the pen name, Catherine LaRoche.

This year, Roach and several New College students created the “All Bodies are Beautiful” campaign to highlight the beauty in different body images. The calendars and exhibit housed in the New College lounge are open for UA faculty and students to view.

Adams said Roach’s selection as a finalist for the 2013 Last Lecture series revealed her passion and her value as a professor to both the University and to students.

Roach’s appointment at the University of Leeds will last up to one year.

“This award will give UA and New College international exposure,” Adams said. “We are very proud of all her accomplishments and very pleased that the international community also recognizes what an outstanding professor, scholar and colleague she is.”