Call for Chinese Visiting Scholars

Applications Academic Year 2021 – 2022

The Climate Policy Lab (CPL) in the Center for Environment and Resource Policy (CIERP) at The Fletcher School at Tufts University is now accepting Chinese Visiting Scholar applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. This opportunity is directed to candidates interested in performing research related to best global practices in climate policies, gaining knowledge about how to promote clean and efficient energy and spurring innovation and sustainable prosperity. The program is aimed for scholars or practitioners who would like to spend one or two semesters during the 2021-2022 academic year in residence in Medford, MA as part of CPL’s vibrant community of research and practice. The Visiting Scholar program is intended to build international relationships through an exchange of ideas and creation of a climate policy network. We welcome you to read more about the program below, and to consider joining us as a Visiting Scholar.

Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

CPL is looking to host scholars, researchers, and professionals from China to work on topics related to climate change and clean energy policy. Visiting scholars are to conduct their research on-site and enjoy access to the intellectual resources of Tufts, The Fletcher School, as well as surrounding academic and research institutions to further their research. They are also expected to contribute to ongoing or emerging areas of research within the Climate Policy Lab, as appropriate.

CPL is particularly interested in welcoming researchers who focus on the following policy topics:

  • Policy design and implementation: Identification of most effective policy tools to meet the climate goals of each nation within the unique context of that country, consistent with the Paris Agreement;
  • Carbon pricing: Design and evaluation of carbon pricing instruments, both direct (e.g. tax) and indirect (e.g. fiscal policy), for sectors and economies;
  • Energy innovation and digital: Design and evaluation of policies that improve the menu of technological options for the future and reduce the cost of effective climate mitigation and resiliency technologies today;
  • Indicators and measurement: Development and use of indicators and metrics to quantitatively assess the performance of climate policies, sector-by-sector;
  • Resilient development: Identification and evaluation of synergistic policies for climate mitigation, adaptation, development, and disaster risk reduction;
  • Low-carbon growth and green industrialization: Design and evaluation of policies that promote equitable economic growth, job creation, and that do not cause environmental harm;
  • Climate finance: Design and evaluation of policies to mobilize finance for climate mitigation and adaptation.

We invite applications from people working on a broad range of opportunities and challenges related to climate and clean energy policy, which may overlap with ongoing work at CPL and may contribute knowledge to our community on new opportunities and approaches.

The Chinese Visiting Scholars Program provides a scholarly setting for the CPL researchers and Visiting Scholars to share ideas, knowledge, and methodologies, and work in collaborative and innovative ways. Visiting scholars work may include research studies, policy briefs, development of new analytical tools, new ideas for public policy process design and implementation, and publications, among others.

Timeframe

The minimum stay is three months and the maximum is nine months during the regular academic year. Fall-term appointments run from September 1 to the end of December. Spring-term appointments begin in January and end in May. Full academic year appointments run from September 1 to May 31.

About the Climate Policy Lab

The Climate Policy Lab (CPL) is an initiative at The Fletcher School, Tufts University to better understand which energy and climate policies work, which don’t, and why. The Lab is a source of independent and objective advice for governments contemplating new climate policies as they implement new domestic policies consistent with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. CPL serves as a virtual lab for international comparative policy analysis, conducting rigorous evidence-based research to provide rapid and concrete answers to questions posed by policy makers. Through its international and comparative approach, the Lab addresses the issue of policy interaction and evaluates more precisely the cumulative effect of existing and actually- implemented climate policies. CPL is based in the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy (CIERP) at The Fletcher School, Tufts University.

Applicants and Selection

We welcome applications from Chinese research scholars and professionals working on climate and clean energy policy who wish to spend one or two semesters at Fletcher working on their own research and writing projects while also contributing to ongoing CPL research.

Visiting Scholars can come from universities, think tanks, research institutes, government, industrial enterprises, trade associations, or other organizations.

We encourage people to apply who feel that being a Visiting Scholar in our diverse community would enhance their research efforts and ultimately contribute to sound climate and clean energy policy.

CPL will select 2–4 Visiting Scholars per year. Applicant Requirements

  • Background in climate or clean energy policy, with demonstrated relevant research and/or policy experience;
  • Have a clearly defined project and provide a description as to how the proposed research project connects to, and benefits from, the Climate Policy Lab and/or Fletcher’s unique resources (including libraries, faculty, ongoing projects, special initiatives);
  • Commit to a period of three to nine months within an academic year;
  • Academic candidates will need to produce a working paper with the aim for it to be published as a peer reviewed journal article;
  • Professional candidates will need to produce a policy discussion paper of around 5,000 words;
  • Candidates are also welcome to produce other publications such as blogs and policy briefs;
  • Present a lecture in English on a topic related to his or her research in the CIERP Research Seminar Series;
  • Attend and participate in CIERP Research Seminars;
  • Attend CPL team meetings, as requested;
  • Attend other CIERP-organized events, per interest;
  • Write at least one CPL blog post per semester;
  • Be available for informal consultation by faculty, researchers, and students with related interests;
  • Fluency in both written and spoken English;
  • Complete all visa application steps with the assistance of the Tufts International Center;
  • Include evidence of health insurance meeting J-1 visa requirements.

Commitment to Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion

Accessibility

Tufts University values the diversity of our students, scholars, staff, and faculty; recognizing the important contribution each person makes to our unique community. Tufts is committed to providing equal access and support to all qualified people through the provision of reasonable

accommodations so that each person may fully participate in the Tufts experience. If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodations, please contact the Student Accessibility Services office at Accessibility@tufts.edu or 617-627-4539 to make an appointment with an SAS representative to determine appropriate accommodations. Please be aware that accommodations cannot be enacted retroactively, so reach out in a timely way so that we can make appropriate provisions.

Diversity and Inclusion

Students, scholars, staff, and faculty at The Fletcher School bring an amazing diversity in backgrounds, experiences and interests. This constitutes a great resource and adds much value to our collective learning experience. It is our goal that people from all backgrounds and perspectives benefit from and contribute to the Chinese Visiting Scholars Program, regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, nationality, religion (or lack thereof), and professional/academic background.

We actively seek and welcome people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, from across the spectrum of disciplines and methods.

The visiting scholar agrees to abide by Tufts University rules about harassment, diversity, freedom of expression, and open dialogue regarding research and the presentation and discussion of ideas. The scholar will be expected to participate actively in CPL events and to honor rules about the confidentiality of informal discussions and exchange of ideas by scholars and guests to the university.

Logistical Considerations

Program Provisions:

  • Mentorship by a Fletcher faculty member
  • Shared office space (in Barnum Hall)
  • Use of a computer for the duration of the appointment, if required
  • Round-trip travel expenses for one trip from the Scholar’s home location to Boston
  • A taxable living stipend of $5,000 per month while at Fletcher
  • Payment by CPL of the $2,500 per semester Visiting Scholar Fee at Fletcher
  • Payment or reimbursement by CPL of visa fees
  • Library borrowing privileges at Fletcher’s Ginn Library and all other Tufts Libraries. Scholars may also apply for a borrowing card for Harvard’s libraries.
  • Access to Tufts University facilities and events
  • Opportunities to audit classes and attend seminars at Fletcher and sometimes affiliated Tufts and non-Tufts schools

Living and working arrangements:

Visiting Scholars are expected to live in Medford or elsewhere in the Greater-Boston area. We will provide sources of information for housing options. Visiting Scholars are encouraged to participate in ongoing activities at the Lab and to engage actively with other researchers at the Center.

If you have questions not addressed through the above resources, please email mieke.wansem@tufts.edu.

Required Application Materials

Application documents should be submitted in English and should be emailed to mieke.wansem@tufts.edu. The following application materials need to be submitted by Friday 30 June 2021, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time:

  • Completed application form (please download form, fill out, resave with your last name, and send as PDF)
  • Research proposal (limit 3 pages)
  • Curriculum vitae or resumé
  • An English writing sample (or translated from Chinese) – can be a recent report, briefing paper, or publication
  • Two letters of recommendation (please ask your recommenders to send them directly to the above email address as a PDF)

The research proposal should not exceed 1,500 words (maximum 3 pages) and should include information on:

  • A short description of the problem(s) or puzzles you are looking to address
  • Research question (one sentence or less)
  • Your research methodology
  • Approximate timeframe for your research
  • Your expected outputs
  • Planned outreach