Visiting Urban Research Scholar Program Call for Applications
Program Overview
The Initiative on Cities at Boston University invites applications for its Visiting Urban Research Scholar Program. The program offers scholars the opportunity to spend up to one year at Boston University for independent research on urban challenges and urban populations in the U.S and abroad. Successful candidates benefit from the Initiative’s programs on urban leadership and urban policies and from Boston University’s intellectual stimulating environment, while also gaining access to the university’s extensive library resources.
Visiting Urban Research Scholars are accepted on a competitive basis for a period of at least one month and up to one year. In reviewing the inquiries, we take into account each perspective visitor’s educational and experiential background, scholarly and professional achievements, area of academic interest, specific research proposal, institutional affiliations, and English language skills. The Initiative considers candidates from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including political science, history, economics, sociology, international relations, public health, and environmental science.
The Initiative does not provide funding for Visiting Urban Research Scholars; candidates are expected to secure their own source(s) of funding, such as external grants or sabbatical salary.
Benefits
Visiting Urban Research Scholars benefit from an accommodating place to pursue their work and from an ability to exchange ideas with our faculty, other visiting scholars and neighboring institutions, our students, and the diverse Boston community. During the program, Visiting Urban Research Scholars at the Initiative have the opportunity to:
- Participate in the Initiative’s full program of lectures, event series, and conferences;
- Present research in a Visiting Urban Research Scholars Seminar and receive feedback on work-in-progress from colleagues in their field;
- Expand their research by accessing university resources, including an extensive library; and
- Connect to urban scholars in other Boston-area universities through IOC’s partnership with the Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI)
Eligibility
Applicants to the Initiative’s Visiting Urban Research Scholars Program must:
- Possess a Ph.D. at the time of application;
- Pursue an independent research project on urban challenges or urban populations; and
- Be able to secure their own funding from external grants or sabbatical salary.
Application Process
Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis to Stacy Fox, Associate Director of the Initiative on Cities, at sfox@bu.edu. The application should consist of the following supporting documents:
- A cover letter, including a statement explaining why Boston University is an appropriate setting for the work and the proposed length and dates of the visit;
- A brief description of the research project to be carried out while at the University;
- A current Curriculum Vitae; and
- A letter of recommendation from an academic colleague.
Please note that the preparation time for processing researchers may be at least two months for domestic visitors and at least six months for international visitors. Consider this timeline when submitting your application to the program.
Boston University’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) assists visitors with immigration processing to support the University and our diverse scholar population in achieving its academic goals. Invited visitors will be provided with information about visas and other important details.
All inquiries concerning the Visiting Urban Research Scholars Program should be addressed to Stacy Fox at sfox@bu.edu. If the appointment is approved, the visitor will receive a letter of invitation from the Director of the Boston University Initiative on Cities.