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Visiting Appointments


Contemporary Turkish Studies
Visiting Fellowships Programme

The Contemporary Turkish Studies (CTS) research group at LSE welcomes a limited number of visiting fellows each year through a selective process, assessing the academic merits of research projects.

Visiting Fellows are external scholars who conduct their own research whilst benefiting from and contributing to the research culture of CTS and the LSE community. The Programme is part of the London School of Economics and Political Science Visiting Fellows Scheme and is aimed at researchers and academics at various stages of their career, who would like to spend a period of time at LSE to conduct research on a topic relevant to the work of CTS. While this programme is intended for those who already hold a PhD, graduate students studying at another university may apply for a visiting position through the European Institute’s Visiting Research Student in European Studies scheme. These students should consider the instructions outlined on this page as a guide before contacting the Chair in Contemporary Turkish Studies as a potential supervisor.

The Visiting Fellowship Programme is hosted by the Chair in Contemporary Turkish Studies. We welcome applications on any aspect of Turkish politics, international relations or economy. Topics that match the research interests of CTS would be assessed more favourably, however, new and innovative approaches to Turkish Studies are also encouraged.

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

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.

The following information must be provided to the CTS’s coordinator at ei.turkish.studies@lse.ac.uk, as per the dates listed in the Timetable section below.

  1. Complete the CTS’s Visiting Appointment Application Form.
  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. Submit 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.

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. Applicants planning to seek funding from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) must follow the standard process before receiving a letter of support from the Chair.

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.