Visiting Research Appointments

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures welcomes a limited number of qualified visitors whose academic interests intersect directly with the teaching and research activities of its members. Because faculty and students thrive on intellectual engagement with guest researchers, visitors are encouraged to participate actively in the life of the Department and the University, attending lectures, conferences, film showings and classes with permission of the instructor. Visitors may be invited to present an informal talk or seminar during the course of their stay.

Although research appointments carry no financial support of any kind, they enable a visiting researcher to obtain a Harvard identification card, which gives access to Harvard University libraries, museums, and an email address. The University provides assistance with the visa process for scholars coming from outside the U.S. Visitors are entirely responsible for obtaining funding, for making their own travel and living arrangements, and for obtaining health insurance. The Department is unable to provide office space or supplies.

Appointment as a Visiting Scholar is designed to permit scholars who have completed the Ph.D. and hold current, tenure-track appointments at other institutions to conduct research at Harvard University. Pre-doctoral or post-doctoral scholars who do not have on-going appointments elsewhere may be eligible for appointment as Fellows or Associates as appropriate.

Appointment extends for a period of no less than three months and no more than one year.

 

 

Application Information

Applications should include the following (all materials must be in English):

 

1) current curriculum vitae
2) brief description (1-2 pages) of research project
3) cover letter which specifies the desired dates of appointment
4) brief letter from the RLL faculty member who has agreed to sponsor visit

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please bear in mind that dossiers of prospective visitors must be approved by both the Department's Executive Committee and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This review process takes several weeks. Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States should allow at minimum four months in advance of their desired start date for application and visa to be processed.

To apply or for any questions, contact Katherine Killough, Research Appointments Coordinator, Harvard University, Romance Languages and Literatures, 436 Boylston Hall, Cambridge MA 02138 (killough@fas.harvard.edu).