Visiting Appointments

Visiting Fellowships are offered for a period from 6 to 12 months, and this term is renewable upon review.  Although fellows are expected to attend CTS activities in person, they may participate in a limited number of activities remotely, upon prior agreement with the Chair. All research seminars, events and academic activity, take place during the three LSE academic terms, and applicants are urged to take the term dates into account when they plan their visit.

Expectations

• Visiting Fellows are expected to conduct research that is within the scope of the Contemporary Turkish Studies’ research agenda, which includes a broad range of topics within the social sciences discipline with a focus on contemporary Türkiye.  
• It is anticipated that visiting scholars will play an active part in the intellectual life of CTS.  This involvement could be by, although not limited to, attending and contributing to our colloquium series and public events, help organise panels and workshops, and actively participating in the CTS’ teamwork culture. 

Benefits

• Opportunities for collaborations and exchange of ideas within the CTS research group, European Institute and across LSE
• A recognised status within the LSE and formal appointment by the School 
• Access to the CTS and European Institute research seminars, colloquium, public and social events, as well as, upon arrangement, access to other LSE departmental research seminar series 
• Presence on the CTS webpage and promotion of research activities via the CTS communication channels and social media
• Access to the facilities of the LSE as a whole, including the Library and IT resources
• Desk space and administrative support
• LSE login, email address and ID card 

Applications for visiting appointments go through a two-stage process. In the first instance they are considered by an academic committee comprising senior CTS research group members. Applications accepted at this stage are endorsed by the Chair and are forwarded to the LSE’s appointments committee for approval. The LSE’s appointments committee makes the final decision regarding visiting posts and reserves the right to reject an application. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are considered for approval several times a year. The appointment process may require 4-6 weeks to complete so you are advised to apply at least 2 months before your proposed start date of your visit. 

Indicatively, please follow the below timeline for planning your visit during each academic year: 

• the last Monday in September (for a start date in December)
• the last Monday in January (for a start date in May)
• the last Monday in April (for a start date in July)

Please note that these dates can shift yearly due to term dates, and you are advised to email Ei.Turkish.Studies@lse.ac.uk to confirm the timeline.

Apply via e-mail to Ei.Turkish.Studies@lse.ac.uk attaching the following documents: 

1. Cover letter (not exceeding 2 pages) including information about: 

a) the benefits the fellowship will bring to your on-going research

b) the proposed timeframe of your visit (start date and duration)

c) how your research will contribute to CTS

d) why CTS is an appropriate host for your research

2. Research Proposal (not exceeding 5 pages, excluding references):

The research proposal should clearly specify the research question of the proposed research and give details about the analytical framework, literature and methodological approach to be followed.

It should also explain how the proposed research relates to the applicant's past research and publications.

3. A full, up-to-date curriculum vitae.

4. A reference letter written by someone who knows the candidate well (preferably an academic). Reference letters can be directly emailed to the above email address.

5. Applications for a renewal of appointment must include the above, plus an additional statement of no less than 200 words outlining previous contributions.

For more information and questions or if you wish to discuss your proposal prior to your application, send an e-mail to Ei.Turkish.Studies@lse.ac.uk. 

Visiting fellowships are unpaid appointments, however externally funded research projects can be hosted by Contemporary Turkish Studies. They are subjected to the above guidance.

During the period of their appointment, visiting staff are eligible to apply for external research funding in their own name and using the School’s name. This is upon prior agreement with the Chair and subject to the support of the Head of the European Institute. Guidance on the application process of external funding schemes and grants might be available through the Chair and the LSE Research and Innovation team.

If applying for an externally funded grant, applicants are expected to cover their own salary costs by building this into the grant application. Should an application be successful, with the applicant’s salary and payroll costs built into the award, then the appointment process and issue of a School contract would be processed through the School’s Human Resources Division, subject to the School’s employment rules and regulations. The applicant’s suitability for subsequent appointment to the senior research staff would be considered in the usual way by a School selection committee.