Visiting academics programme

We have a diverse and active international and national visiting academics programme, hosting visiting researchers from around the world in key areas of academic interest.

This scheme is aimed at academics working in a higher education institution in their home country who wish to conduct an independent research project or collaborative research during their stay in Manchester.

Researchers in the School embrace theoretically-informed empirical research, from a platform of eight departments. Alongside the big three social sciences (Economics, Politics and Sociology), Social Statistics is a key element of our research and teaching strategy, giving us an international comparative advantage in quantitative research methods and techniques accompanying fundamental pedagogic research in “statistical literacy”.

The School has an independent Social Anthropology department which privileges ethnographic techniques and the co-production of knowledge across the globe. The Philosophy Department explores inter alia, metaphysics, aesthetics and environmental justice. The department of Criminology has an international reputation for its research on domestic abuse, drugs and violence. Finally, the Law department investigates the areas of healthcare law and ethics, governance, and international law.

You can find much more detail on the work of the School on our Research webpages.

We make strategic appointments of visiting academics which reflect our priority research areas to applicants who commit time in residence working in our research community. Working in collaboration with our own world-leading researchers, visiting scholars ensure a vibrant exchange of ideas and facilitate the development of innovative methodological approaches.  

Expectations

Visiting Scholars are expected to participate in the research life of the host department/institute during their stay, including:

  • attending departmental research seminars;
  • presenting their work to the relevant research seminar;
  • identifying opportunities for further collaborations and potential joint initiatives

Fees and benefits

Scholars may visit for one semester, one year, or for a few weeks. Scholars are expected to be fully self-funding.

Fees are £2,500/full year, £1,000/Autumn and Spring semester only (12 weeks), or £100/week.

We welcome applications from researchers who do not have access to funding (from their own institutions or from research grants) to cover our standard bench fee. If this applies to you, please briefly explain on the application form; your application will be considered without regard to your ability to pay.

The School will offer a desk space, staff card, library access, some printing facilities and access to events organised by the School. You will need to make your own arrangements for travel and accommodation.

We are strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity. Our programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, and we welcome applications from academics from all backgrounds and career stages who will be able to pursue high-quality research and engage with existing researchers within the School.

How to apply

  • If you wish to apply as a visiting scholar you must be nominated by a School-based researcher. Ideally, you will have a connection with an academic already in place.
  • If you are applying for funding for the visit then an initial invitation can be issued prior to completing the application by you Nominator.
  • Once you have a connection this person will be your nominator, they will complete the application form with you which includes a brief description of the project.
  • Particular attention needs to be paid to ATAS implications and Export Control. The application will also include a statement of support from the nominator a two page CV, and a scanned copy of your Passport/ National ID. The completed application will then be sent by your nominator to the School Operations Team.
  • The application and supporting documents will then be considered by the Head of Department/ Institute. Any queries will be raised with your nominator.
  • If approved by the Head of Department/ Institute, the application will be then sent to People & Global Mobility for approval.
  • Once People & Global Mobility have approved a formal invitation will be issued with a Visitor Agreement document.
  • Once the Visitor Agreement form is completed and returned it will be forwarded to People & Global Mobility who will then set you up on the system ready for your visit. They will send confirmation to the School which will be forwarded to you as it contains details of how to access your Manchester email account and obtain a staff card.
  • If you need a visa for the visit, for the Standard Academic Visitor route you can apply yourself on the basis of your invitation letter, if it is a Temporary Worker Authorised Exchange – Tier 5 visa then our People Global Mobility team will liaise directly with you.

Please submit your completed application form and supporting documents at least 6 months before your intended visit.