Further Particulars

Introduction to the IAS

The IAS is a flagship project launched in October 2006 to mark the 175^th anniversary of the foundation of Durham University. The aim of the Institute is to cultivate - and communicate to various publics - new thinking on big ideas through critical dialogue across professional and disciplinary boundaries. At the core of IAS activities lies a generously funded UK and international fellowship programme. This allows the IAS to gather together the world's finest scholars and non-academics (e.g. intellectuals, artists, writers, journalists, policy makers, and politicians) from the full spectrum of science, social science, arts and humanities disciplines to address themes of global significance. The Institute provides its fellows with a setting that offers them freedom to think in an unconstrained way, exempt from the day to day demands of their normal professional obligations, and in the company of other thinkers from very different backgrounds. The IAS seeks to develop a truly global perspective by ensuring that its fellows are recruited from all over the world, including the global south.

2010/11 Theme

The theme for 2010/11, for which applications are now invited, is "Futures", interpreted in its broadest sense to be of potential interest to those working in a wide range of disciplines. A number of specific sub-themes have already been identified, including:

Time and Evolution
Theorising the Future
Anticipating the Future
Experiencing the Future
Figuring the Future
Sustainable Futures

Fellows will be able to engage in these themes or to propose others that are related to the theme of Futures.

Fellowships

There are two types of fellowship available: ‘distinguished' and ‘fast-track'. Each type of fellowship is available for a 3-month period between October 2010 and March 2011 (shorter stays to be negotiated with the Directors). Distinguished fellowships will normally be offered to mid/late career scholars and non-academics who have an established international reputation, have shaped their field, and can provide evidence of research leadership and/or public impact. They are expected to have played a significant role in shaping their field through their outputs, achievements and markers of esteem. Fast-track fellowships will normally be offered to early/mid career individuals who have an emerging international reputation and are beginning to shape the agenda in their field. However, please note that these Fellowships are not available to undergraduate or postgraduate students. Most, but not all, of the fellowships will be offered to those whose research complements the 2010/11 annual theme.

What the fellowships offer:

An IAS fellowship provides the holder with the opportunity to develop their research and ideas in a thriving community of intellectuals of national and international standing, within the Institute, through the College system, and by forging strong links with at least one department at Durham.

For the duration of their stay, all fellows will be provided with a single occupancy office in Cosin's Hall, the home of the Institute of Advanced Study. The Hall, a magnificent listed building dedicated to the IAS and elegantly refurbished, is situated on a World Heritage site that includes Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. In addition, all fellows will be welcomed into a college community where they will be offered half board accommodation (in a one or two bedroom flat), and membership of the college's Senior Common Room.

The Institute will cover the costs associated with the fellow travelling to Durham, UK from their home institution (return fare - economy class) and will provide all fellows with an honorarium. ‘Distinguished' fellows receive an honorarium of £3,000; ‘Fast-Track' fellows receive an honorarium of £2,000.

Teaching buy-out costs of up to £8,000 will be available to academics who will not be on research leave/sabbatical whilst on fellowship at Durham. Alternatively individuals who will experience a loss of income as a result of accepting an IAS fellowship are entitled to apply for a contribution towards their lost salary/earnings (limited funds are available for this).

Your contribution to the IAS:

To ensure the best experience at the IAS, Fellows are required to:

Reside in Durham for three months (shorter stays may occasionally be negotiated with the Directors; this must occur prior to the award of the fellowship).
Participate in IAS activities and engage with staff and research students in relevant departments and Colleges at Durham University
Present an ‘in house' IAS seminar and a public lecture.
Write a short paper (3-7,000 words) for the Institute's flagship publication ‘Insights'
Contribute, where appropriate, to other relevant activities in the thematic programme
Acknowledge IAS support in any publications resulting from their period of stay in Durham.
Produce an ‘End of Fellowship' report (no more than 1,000 words) detailing their activities and achievements during their Fellowship