The 2026-27 Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship was awarded to Joseph Peters, PhD student in Learning Design and Technology in College of Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His current research focus is on fostering professional development using Professional Learning Communities, where  Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program grow collaboratively utilizing peer social networks.

Joseph was also a former intern of the Ehime Prefectural International Center (EPIC) summer internship program through UHM CJS.

For more information on Joseph’s research interests, please visit: https://cpasfoundation.org/scholars-2021-present/

About the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship

Established in 1959 to commemorate the wedding of then Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko, the scholarship is awarded to graduate students of Japan or the United States who are pursuing a subject area leading to better understanding between Japan and the United States. You can learn more about the scholarship on the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Fund.