Academic Visitors
The GCDC welcomes scholars from across the globe through subsidised visitorships.
As part of its mission to foster global collaborations and research in its areas of interest, the GCDC runs an academic visitors’ programme. The visitorships are primarily aimed at assisting scholars who either are, or demonstrably will be, at an advanced stage of a relevant writing project, and are seeking a visit to assist with progressing this work toward a completed scholarly output. The GCDC invites applications from visitors in the following categories:
For visits of (minimum) one month up to three months. Academic Visitors may be scholars (of at least postdoctoral standing) or established professionals whose work aligns with the Centre’s interests. Candidates must have a clear programme of research.
Academic Visitors will be issued with a UCL ID card and will be given hot-desking space from the Centre’s allotment. They are entitled to have their expenses (travel, accommodation) reimbursed up to £2400 for each month of their visit. Academic Visitors will be responsible for their own visa arrangements.
Academic Visitors will be expected to participate in Centre events and provide a write-up of their research and activities for the Centre’s website. If time and schedule permit, these visitors may also present at Centre seminars.
The Sidney Distinguished Visitorship is intended for mid-career and senior researchers, who are taking an extended period of leave (sabbatical) to work on a dedicated project. Visitors are expected to be in attendance at the Centre for a period of six to (up to) twelve months. Visitors must be in full-time employment at their home institution and will be responsible for their own visa arrangements.
Sidney Distinguished Visitors will be issued with a UCL ID card and given space from the Centre’s allotment. They are entitled to have their expenses (travel, accommodation) reimbursed up to £3200 for each month of their visit. (Please note that the Centre will cover the University’s visiting academic fee, which it charges for visits over three months.)
The Sidney Distinguished Visitors are expected to participate fully in the life of the Centre, through attending events, giving a seminar paper or lecture, and writing up their research activities for the Centre’s website. If interested, they may organise an event with the Centre, and they may bid to the Centre’s discretionary research fund.
Up to two Sidney Distinguished Visitors may be appointed per year, depending upon funds.
Applications
Application Guidance
The application comprises:
- an application form (see accordion bar below)
- a CV
- a research proposal of no more than two pages
The research proposal should clearly articulate the project to be carried out, how the project aligns with the aims and research interests of the Centre and its members, and why a visit to the Centre is necessary. Letters of reference are not required (and should not be included); however, the application form requests the names of three referees who can speak to your work.
Successful applicants must start their visit at least three months after the application closing date. Please note that we do not accept applications for visits that begin or largely take place in the month of August (this is protected research time at UCL).
Applications will be considered by a committee of Centre members. Preference will be given to applications exhibiting a high degree of academic excellence, with a project already underway, and with a clear scholarly outcome. We may also prioritise visitors from or working on regions not already covered by our membership. The decision of the committee is final.
Application Deadlines
31 October 2025 [Academic Visitors | Sidney Visitors]
31 March 2026 [Academic Visitors]
31 October 2026 [Academic Visitors | Sidney Visitors]
31 March 2027 [Academic Visitors]
31 October 2027 [Academic Visitors | Sidney Visitors]
31 March 2028 [Academic Visitors]
31 October 2028 [Academic Visitors]
Application Forms
Please send your completed application form, plus your CV and research proposal to gcdc@ucl.ac.uk.
Please note that we are unable to accept undergraduate and postgraduate (including doctoral) students as visitors at this time. If you are a doctoral student interested in spending time with us as a visiting research student, you will need to apply through UCL's general process. Please note that UCL charges a pro-rata tuition fee to visiting research students.