CCW Visiting Research Fellowship Programme
Our Visiting Research Fellows are either senior academics taking a sabbatical from their own institution, or practitioners, including senior members of the armed forces, international organisations and NGOs, civil servants, and diplomatic staff. During their time in Oxford, most of our Visiting Research Fellows have an association with Pembroke College. Here they have the opportunity to mix with the Fellows of the College in the Senior Common Room - the beautiful fifteenth-century Broadgates Hall. Founded in 1624, Pembroke counts Samuel Johnson, Sir William Blackstone, and James Smithson among its alumni. More recent distinguished members include Senators Fulbright and Lugar.
Members of CCW and University of Oxford colleagues mentor Visiting Research Fellows of the CCW Centre. The Visiting Research Fellows to CCW are drawn from across the academic and professional worlds, with senior officers of the United States, European and United Kingdom armed forces especially strongly represented.
Our VRFs often join CCW prior to taking up a major new appointment, using their time with us to develop their thinking, broadening their understanding and engaging with some of the most respected academic specialists. In other cases, senior visitors have had the opportunity, through CCW, to articulate and test their ideas, and obtain rigorous feedback.
APPLICATIONS
CCW welcomes applications from outstanding individuals for its long-running and successful Visiting Fellowship Programme. Visiting Research Fellows (VRFs) are members of the CCW Programme for one academic year or less. While not enrolled on a formal degree course, and as such do not gain any recognised qualification from the university, they engage with one or more of the Centre’s research themes and receive individual support to do so. The subject of their research is submitted as a proposal to the CCW Academic Board. The VRF then works on this specific project during their time in Oxford, and is able to meet with academics working in related fields and to attend CCW events. They also have the opportunity to have a paper, article or chapter reviewed by other members of the Centre.
Fees are £1300 (academic rate) or £3600 (practitioner rate) per term. Please note that there are 3 terms per year.
Visiting Fellows are entitled to a named supervisor and 3 one to one tutorials per term if paying the practitioner rate. The capacity of the Centre to provide this support will be taken into consideration in making an offer.
Visiting Fellows are asked to submit a copy of their research paper at the end of the fellowship period.
Research Areas
Applications are encouraged from a wide range of subjects to reflect the changing character of war, including but not limited to:
engineering or physics
mathematics
computer science: cyber security, generative artificial intelligence and information operations, applications of quantum computing
media
nuclear deterrence
counter-terrorism
Area specialists: Russia, China, Iran, North Korea
technology in warfare: robotics, hypersonics, drone operations
maritime and air-space
strategy & operations
ethics in war and law of armed conflict
civilians and the civilianisation of war
strategic coercion
APPLICATION PROCESS
All Visiting Fellowships must be approved by the Academic Board, who meet once a term. Each application will be considered on its own academic merit and the capacity of the Centre to offer appropriate supervision and support.
Please submit an application form including a research proposal (c.1000 words) together with your CV and two letters of reference to the Centre Administrator. The research proposal should specify the expected output of the research (for example, a journal article, part of a book project) as well as how the project relates to the Centre’s current research priorities. Please ensure that the outcome is achievable in the length of time available for the fellowship.
Visiting Fellowships are for a duration of at least one term and at most three terms, in the first instance.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications must be approved by the CCW Academic Board.
Offers are made based on A CV and a written proposal of 1000 words for a viable project
with a specific output. No interview is required, but advice can be sought from the Director or members of CCW informally.
The proposal must relate to current research themes of the Centre.
Candidates should have a doctorate or 5 years’ equivalent professional experience.
Two reference letters should be provided at time of application.
We regret that students at other institutions will not be considered.
Application Deadlines
For fellowships commencing in October 2024, submit as soon as possible and by 1 July 2024
For fellowships commencing in January 2025, submit by 23 October 2024
For fellowships commencing in April 2024, submit by 2 January 2024
You are welcome to apply early for a deferred arrival. If you miss a deadline, please get in contact as we may be able arrange an extra review panel.
