The School for Sociology Politics and International Studies (SPAIS) welcomes established scholars as Visiting Researchers.  Visiting Researchers are resident in the School for a specified length of time (up to 12 months) and conduct their own research whilst benefiting from, and contributing to, the research culture within SPAIS.

If you are a recent doctoral graduate or PhD student, please see:

• Postdoctoral and early career opportunities
• Visiting postgraduate research students

Benefits

• You will have access to support and guidance provided by academic and administrative staff.  You will be able to engage with one or more of the three SPAIS Research Centres, which foster interdisciplinary research, networking and events in support of academic debate and policy interventions.
• You may join one or more of the SPAIS Research Groups, benefiting from the vibrant academic atmosphere these engender.
• You may attend one or more of the School’s Reading Groups in the areas of Sociology, Politics and International Studies.  At these reading groups members choose works of interest – whether already published or work-in-progress by members themselves – for discussion.
• You will also have opportunities to present your research in School research groups and seminars.
• Visiting Researchers have access to a wide range of public lectures and seminars across the Faculty of Social Sciences & Law and elsewhere in the University.

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Fees

Please note that we do not offer funding.  The School charges a visitor fee, the amount of which depends on the length of stay.  Please note that the visitor fee must be paid prior to the commencement of any visit.

The visitor fee is £3000 per year (or pro rata).  The School provides library and email/network access, and access to all School events, workshops, and research seminars.  The School has a limited amount of shared office space where visitors can book desk space.  Visitors in this category are encouraged to bring laptop computers which can be used at wireless areas around the University.

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Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply for Visiting Researcher status?

Applicants are required to contact the member of staff they would like to work with and must seek their approval before applying for a visiting position.  See SPAIS staff’s research interests here.

Anyone holding a PhD qualification is eligible to apply for Visiting Researcher status.

Visa and ATAS requirements

If you are applying from outside the UK it is your responsibility before travelling to check if you need a visa and/or an ATAS certificate for the purpose of your visit. You must comply with any relevant UK visas, immigration, and ATAS requirements throughout your engagement with the University whilst you are in the UK.  You will be required to provide us with evidence of your compliance before commencement and if circumstances change.  For information about visitor visas see https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor. For information about ATAS see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

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Selection

Visiting Researchers who plan to be resident in Bristol are chosen on the basis of the following criteria:

• Research topic: Of most importance is the close intellectual fit of the proposed research to the School and to individual research interests of staff.
• Benefits: to the individual and to the School
• Space: In order to provide adequate facilities, we limit the total number of Visiting Researchers.
• Duration of stay: We may at any one time not have the space to accept a longer stay, but can perhaps accommodate a shorter one.
• Confirmation from a current member of SPAIS staff to act as your host

Expectations

We ask that all Visiting Researchers present at least one research seminar while they are visiting the School and submit one piece of research to the Working Papers series.

visiting-researchers-faqs (Office document, 39kB)

Applicant form - SPAIS visiting researcher June 23 (Office document, 52kB)

Please note that we will require two months to process applications.  Applications by non-EEA citizens will require substantially more time and effort on the part of applicants due to immigration procedures – see details on eligibility and the FAQs above.

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