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Doctoral Affiliate Scheme 2026 - Call for Applications

The Middle East Centre is launching a new scheme, offering affiliations to LSE doctoral students for the calendar year 2026. The scheme aims to support emerging academic researchers working on the Middle East and North Africa. Up to four affiliations will be offered.

Doctoral Affiliates will be awarded a small research budget (up to £250) to spend on fieldwork, conferences or related purposes. Access will be provided to the MEC’s facilities, including desk space, meeting room and library. Affiliates will be invited to participate in MEC internal seminars and events. The MEC will endeavour to offer mentorship from academics in the MEC community.

Doctoral Affiliates will be expected to be active participants in the life of the Middle East Centre through working in the Centre office, engaging with Centre staff and visitors, attending and sometimes assisting at research events, providing support to the Centre’s publications series and communications work.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to PhD students currently enrolled in one of LSE’s doctoral programmes with active research interests in the Middle East and North Africa, in any social science discipline. Preference will be given to students who have upgraded from MPhil to PhD status.

How to Apply

Please submit the following:

  • CV
  • A short biographical note and statement (maximum one page), outlining your disciplinary and methodological background, research skills, and how your doctoral research will contribute to the study of the MENA region.
  • An email from your PhD supervisor confirming permission to hold an affiliation with the MEC.

Please send submissions and any questions to Yasmeen Jaber, Centre Administrator, y.abdel-jaber@lse.ac.uk, by February 20 2026.

Applications will be assessed by an internal MEC committee. Please note that the Doctoral Affiliation is not remunerated and does not constitute an employment contract.