Further Particulars for IAS Fellowship Scheme
Introduction to the IAS
The IAS is a flagship project launched in October 2006 to mark the 175th 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 organised around an annual theme. 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.
2014-15 Theme
The theme for 2014-15, for which applications will be invited from April 23rd 2013 is "Emergence", 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 will be updated very shortly.
Fellows will be able to engage in these themes or to propose others that are related to the theme of Emergence.
Fellowships
Fellowships are available for a 3-month period between October 2014 and March 2015 (shorter stays to be negotiated with the Directors). Applications are considered from 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. Applications are also considered from 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. The fellowships will be offered to those whose research complements the 2014-15 annual theme ('Emergence'). Up to 20 IAS Fellowships are available in 2014-15. The Fellowship scheme for IAS Fellowships in 2014-15 is now open in April 2013 for recruitment. The closing date for applications is 09 June 2013.
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 bedroom flat), and membership of the college's Senior Common Room.
The IAS 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 (£2,500 for three months or pro rata for shorter stays).
Limited funds exist for teaching buy-outs or contributions to loss of income. Academics who will not be on research leave/sabbatical leave whilst on fellowship at Durham are eligible to apply for teaching buy-out costs of up to £8,000 (for the three month period or pro rata for shorter stays). Alternatively individuals who will experience a loss of income as a result of accepting an IAS fellowship are eligible to apply for a contribution towards their lost salary/earnings.
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 (3-5,000 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.
