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Visiting Scholar Applications

The Russia and Eurasia Program at The Fletcher School is accepting and reviewing Visiting Scholar applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. This opportunity is directed to candidates from the region interested in performing research related to international affairs. The initiative is aimed at experts who would like to spend one semester in residence at The Fletcher School as part of our vibrant community of research, teaching, and practice. The initiative is intended to build international relationships through an exchange of ideas and develop a network of experts working to promote the rule of law, regional peace and security, and a better understanding of international relations. We welcome you to read more about the initiative below and consider joining us as a Visiting Scholar.

The Fletcher School looks to host scholars from Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus to work on topics related to comparative constitutional law, international arbitration, public international law, regional peace and security, Russian foreign policy, and U.S.-Russia relations. Visiting Scholars are expected to conduct research on-site and enjoy access to the intellectual resources of Tufts University and surrounding academic institutions. They are also expected to contribute to ongoing or emerging research areas within the Russia and Eurasia Program, as appropriate.

The initiative provides a scholarly setting for faculty at The Fletcher School and Visiting Scholars to share ideas, knowledge, and methodologies and to work in collaborative and innovative ways. Visiting Scholars’ work may include guest lectures, seminars, curriculum development, academic studies, policy briefs, development of new analytical tools, new ideas for public policy process design and implementation, and publications, among others. The deadline for Fall 2024 is May 17, 2024, and the deadline for Spring 2025 is August 30, 2024. Learn more about the program’s current visiting scholars here and former visiting scholars here.

Timeframe

Fall term appointments begin in September and end in December. Spring term appointments begin in January and end in May. Please see the 2023-2024 academic calendar for more details.

Applicants and Selection

We welcome applications from experts from the region who wish to spend one semester at The Fletcher School working on research. Visiting Scholars can come from universities, think tanks, research institutes, or government positions. We encourage people to apply who feel that being a Visiting Scholar in our diverse community would enhance their research efforts.

The Visiting Scholar must have a clearly defined project and provide a description as to how it connects to and benefits from our unique community and intellectual resources. The project could include producing a working paper with the aim of publishing it as a peer-reviewed journal article or producing a policy discussion paper.

Applicant requirements:

  • Background in comparative constitutional law, international arbitration, public international law, regional peace and security, Russian foreign policy, Ukrainian foreign policy, or U.S.-Russia relations, with demonstrated relevant research or policy experience
  • Commit to one semester in residence at Fletcher
  • Present at least two guest lectures or seminars in English at Fletcher
  • Attend and participate in Russia and Eurasia Program events and team meetings
  • Write at least one article for The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs
  • Be available for weekly office hours with 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
  • Purchase health insurance that meets J-1 visa requirements upon arrival in the United States

Commitment to Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion

Tufts University values the diversity of our students, staff, and scholars, 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 Tufts Office of Equal Opportunity to determine appropriate accommodations.

Students, scholars, and staff at The Fletcher School bring an amazing diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and interests. This constitutes a great resource and adds much value to our collective learning experience. We hope that people from all backgrounds and perspectives will benefit from and contribute to the initiative. The Visiting Scholar agrees to abide by Tufts rules about harassment, freedom of expression, and open dialogue. They will be expected to participate actively in events on campus and to honor rules about the confidentiality of informal discussions and the exchange of ideas by scholars and guests to the university.

Logistical Considerations

Program provisions:

  • Mentorship by a Fletcher professor
  • Shared office space and limited administrative support
  • Use of a computer for the duration of the appointment, if required
  • Reimbursement of travel and relocation expenses up to $3,000
  • Waiver of the $2,500 per semester Visiting Scholar Fee at Fletcher and visa fees to the Tufts International Center
  • Library borrowing privileges at Fletcher’s Ginn Library and all other Tufts libraries as well as at Harvard libraries
  • Access to Tufts facilities and events
  • Opportunities to audit up to two classes per semester and attend events at Fletcher

A limited number of Visiting Scholars with Russian citizenship will be offered a taxable living stipend of $4,000 per month by the Russia and Eurasia Program while at Fletcher. Preference will be given to applicants who are currently residing or were recently residing in Russia. Funding for Visiting Scholars with Ukrainian citizenship may also be available through the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program at Tufts. Funding for Visiting Scholars with Kazakhstani citizenship may also be available through the Bolashak International Scholarship.

Visiting Scholars are expected to live in Medford, Massachusetts or elsewhere within commuting distance of campus. We will provide sources of information for housing options, but Visiting Scholars will need to secure their own lodging. If you have questions about the initiative, please do not hesitate to reach out to Arik Burakovsy.

Required Application Materials

Application documents should be submitted in English and should be emailed to Arik Burakovsy. The following application materials are required:

  • Completed application form (please download the form, fill it out, save it with your last name in the title, and submit it)
  • Project Summary (no more than two pages)
  • Resume/CV
  • An English writing sample (or translated from Russian or Ukrainian)
  • Two references