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Visiting Appointments Scheme

Our PhD Students

The Department of Methodology welcomes academics, researchers, and practitioners from other institutions to join us on a visiting basis. Our Visiting Fellows, Visiting Senior Fellows, and Visiting Professors play an active part in the intellectual life of the department by conducting research or engaging in other activities that benefit the department.

See our list of current Visitors.

Please read all the information below thoroughly before you apply.

Methodology Visitors

Prospective applicants are expected to liaise with a member of academic staff. Visiting appointments are typically supported by an academic host, and applicants should therefore either have an existing connection with a member of the department or identify a suitable academic whose research interests align with their own.

Applicants should contact the relevant academic staff member directly to discuss their proposed visit, research plans, and potential contribution to the department. If the academic member of staff is willing to support the application, they will act as a sponsor for the visit and guide the applicant through the next steps.

The department welcomes postdoctoral applicants who can clearly demonstrate that they fulfil the following criteria.

  1. Demonstrate an established research record.
  2. Present a clear case for being based in the Department of Methodology.
  3. Provide a clear timetable for the proposed duration and timing of their visit, together with achievable research objectives.
  4. Present a clear case demonstrating that their contribution and work will complement the research environment and enhance the department’s research profile.

Visitors have free access to the library and other LSE resources, but no remuneration is offered; therefore, the department can only accept those with adequate financial support already in place. In most cases, Visitors may be on sabbatical leave from their normal employment or be sponsored directly by other organisations. The status of Visitor is non-contractual and confers no special privileges.

If you are interested in applying to the Department of Methodology’s Visiting Appointment scheme, please contact methodology.research@lse.ac.uk.

In addition to conducting their own research, Visitors are expected to contribute to and participate in the department's research life by attending seminars and other research-related, and by giving a seminar on their research or teach an MY580 Methods Short Course during their visit.

Contact points during your appointment

Administrative questions should be addressed to the Research Operations Manager at  methodology.research@lse.ac.uk.

Notification of public activity (e.g. media appearances, published works) should be sent to our Communications and Events Officer at  methodology.comms@lse.ac.uk for inclusion on our webpage.

At the end of the visiting appointment, Visitors are required to submit a brief report summarising the contribution they have made to the Department of Methodology.

You may apply for any of the below categories that you feel are most suitable, but the department’s Research Committee and the School’s Appointments Committee reserve the right to confer a title at a more appropriate level.

Visiting Fellowships

The title of Visiting Fellow is given to scholars who are pre-Major Review (or equivalent) with post-doctoral status, practitioners of equivalent standing in an appropriate profession/occupation, and researchers in the early stages of their career.

Visiting Senior Fellowships

The title of Visiting Senior Fellow is given to individuals who have already published work of distinction, and to those who have made a senior contribution in government service, professional practice, the private sector, or other appropriate fields.

Visiting Professors

The title of Visiting Professor is reserved for those who have eminent distinction within the academic professions and whose connections with the School are appropriate for such a title. Note that the title of Professor at a home institution does not guarantee a Visiting Professorship at LSE.