Visiting Scholars at the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought

Visitors at the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought


The Centre for Political Thought at the University of Cambridge accepts a small number of Visiting Scholars each year. Visitors are hosted for a minimum of two weeks, but usually apply to visit for one term. In exceptional cases Visiting Scholars are accepted for up to three successive terms in a year.

The three terms of the academic year at Cambridge are: Michaelmas (October–December), Lent (January–March) and Easter (April–June). Exact dates for the academic year are available here.


Visiting Scholars
Established academics as well as qualified postdoctoral researchers are welcome to apply to the Centre to become a Visiting Scholar. Visitors must be undertaking work of interest to the Centre. This means that they should minimally be pursuing research in political thought, ideally in an area that overlaps with the work of one of the Centre’s Co-Directors, or another Faculty member associated with the Centre.

The Centre does not provide work space to Visiting Scholars, and neither does it provide tuition to postdoctoral researchers in any form. Visiting Scholars are, however, actively encouraged to participate in seminars and events held in political thought at Cambridge. Details of past and future conferences, as well as the weekly (Monday) research seminar, are available on this site.

Visiting Scholars will also have library and network access available to them. However, Visiting Scholars are expected to meet the direct costs of photocopying, printing and other consumables/costs associated with their work.

Visiting Scholars are encouraged to register with Cambridge’s Newcomers and Visiting Scholars Society (NVS).


Application
To apply you will need to complete and return this application form together with:

  • An up-to-date CV
  • A covering letter incorporating a brief statement (max. 500 words) of research plans while resident in Cambridge
  • At least one academic reference in the case of postdoctoral applicants

All applications should be addressed to Andrew Cuthbert (amc242@cam.ac.uk).

Fees
Visiting Scholars are charged a bench fee of £600 per term (incl. VAT), or a proportion thereof for shorter visits.

Accommodation
The Centre does not provide accommodation, nor can it assist applicants with finding accommodation in Cambridge, but if you need help please log on to the University of Cambridge Accommodation Service or contact the Service by email.

Visas
If you are not a person with settled status in the UK or a national of a country within the European Economic Area, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland then you will probably need a visa – this would normally be via the Academic Visitor route. More information about this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-government-authorised-exchange/overview.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that compliance with UK immigration/visa requirements is met.