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Appointment of academic visitors

Information and how to apply

The Department of International Relations welcomes external applications for visiting appointments from distinguished academics or practitioners whose work aligns with the Department’s research interests and priorities.

Visiting appointments within the Department fall into three main categories, in accordance with the LSE Academic Visiting Appointments Policy:

  • Visiting Fellow:
    - External academics at Assistant Professor level, early career researchers, or non-academic practitioners of equivalent standing.
    - Individuals who have recently completed their PhD at LSE, or who are expected to complete it within the next twelve months.
  • Visiting Senior Fellow: Academics at Associate Professor level, or non-academic practitioners of equivalent standing.
  • Visiting Professor: Full Professors, or non-academic practitioners who have achieved prominence in public life, or who have attained distinction in their profession.

Academic applicants should have a completed PhD by the start date of their fellowship.

Doctoral candidates interested in visiting the Department before completing the PhD are normally expected to apply for the status of Visiting Research Student in International Relations through Visiting Research Student in International Relations via LSE's Application System.

Visiting appointments are typically offered for a period of up to one year. In exceptional cases, such as multi-year postdoctoral fellowships funded by research agencies and foundations, a longer period may be agreed. Request for renewal is considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to prior contribution to the Department research culture and environment.

Visitors are able to attend Department research seminars and events, as well as meet with staff within the Department and elsewhere at LSE. Visitors can also attend many other seminars and events that are held across the School.

LSE operates on two teaching terms, Autumn and Winter, and participation in the Department research cluster seminars is limited to these. Applicants should therefore take LSE term dates into account when indicating the preferred start and end dates of their visit. The Department does not accept applications limited to the Spring Term, as visitors are expected to engage actively with cluster activities. Visits beginning in the Spring Term must therefore continue until at least the Autumn Term.

Visitors are provided with an LSE IT account and email address, access to the LSE Library, and open-plan hot-desking space within the Department.

Visitors are able to use their visitor title, eg LSE Visiting Fellow, when referring to their LSE affiliation. The “Visiting” status must be made explicit in all circumstances.

Visiting appointments are unpaid and non-contractual. The Department is not able to provide financial support for visitors (including for travel or accommodation), nor are we able to assist with arranging travel or accommodation, provide administrative support, offer visa support, or provide support with grant applications.

Visitors are expected to contribute actively to the research and intellectual life of the Department. This could include: delivering a public lecture (to be discussed with cluster convenors well in advance of visit); giving a (brown bag) seminar/workshop; contributing a written piece to the webpages/blog; meeting with postgraduate students to discuss their thesis or dissertation projects.

All visitors are affiliated to and actively engage with at least one of the Department's research clusters, by presenting their work or serving as a discussant in one of the workshops. In-person presence and regular interaction is expected although the form and frequency are flexible and can include visits and attendance at key events.

In addition, visitors can be affiliated with Department research centres and units, subject to agreement of the unit head.

More information is also available on the IRD Academic Visitor Policy.

Applicants may apply for external research funding in their own name and on behalf of the School, provided that they have secured the support of the Department and approval of their home institution.

Before submitting any funding proposal, applicants must discuss their plans with the Department’s Research Manager, Sarah Hélias. This step is required prior to the School considering their case for a visiting appointment, so that consultation with the Research Development Team in Research and Innovation can take place and the appropriate research funding processes followed.

  • 20 November (for earliest possible start date of the following March)
  • 25 March (for earliest possible start date of September)

Applicants are notified about the outcome of their application approximately 12 weeks after the relevant deadline. No visit can commence before the official notification is issued.