The Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies welcomes visiting scholars both in-person and virtually. While Virtual Visiting Scholars may not be able to visit our campus due to travel and visa restrictions, researchers interested in being affiliated with our center may apply to become a Virtual Visiting Scholar. A Virtual Visiting Scholar may access our online library collection, engage with faculty and students, and join online classes. An In-Person Visiting Scholar may conduct research in-person, attend in-person classes, meet and engage with faculty and student on campus, and attend conferences while in the United States.
Researchers who wish to apply for visiting scholar affiliation with the Center should begin by approaching a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for research collaboration and sponsorship. A list of the Center’s faculty affiliates can be found here. If a match is found, the interested visiting scholar should contact the Center and provide a CV and a proposal outlining the intended research and the UNC faculty sponsor’s name and department.
Please note that administrative fees for Virtual Visiting Scholars of $500 will apply. These fees cover the administrative processing of visiting scholars’ paperwork, the provision of a UNC ID number and a UNC email account, and access to online resources at the library. The administrative fees for In-Person Visiting Scholars is up to $4,000/year. These fees cover the above, as well as the work required for a J-1 visa to the United States.
Please note: We accept visiting scholars who have their own funding sources. Our Center is unable to offer fellowships at this time.
At the end of the visiting scholar’s term, the researcher will be expected to deliver a presentation to faculty and graduate students (online or in-person).
For more information, please contact Claudia Yaghoobi at yaghoobi@unc.edu.
