Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies Visiting Scholar Program Spring 2027

The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University is inviting applications for its Visiting Scholar Program for Spring 2027. The program provides a short term academic affiliation for scholars and human rights practitioners who want to pursue their own research and writing while engaging with the intellectual community at Brown University.

The program is designed for academics on sabbatical as well as human rights practitioners whose research or professional work would benefit from time at the Center. For Spring and Fall 2027, the Center is particularly interested in researchers and practitioners working on asylum and immigration rights, environmental justice, and environmental rights. Applicants working in other areas of human rights and humanitarian studies are also welcome to apply.

Visiting Scholars are expected to dedicate their time primarily to their own research projects. They may also participate in the intellectual life of the Center through activities such as public presentations or workshops related to their work. The program therefore provides an opportunity to develop research while connecting with scholars, practitioners, and the wider Brown University community.

About the Opportunity

The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies Visiting Scholar Program is hosted by Brown University and provides selected scholars with a short term affiliation with CHRHS. The program is intended for individuals who already have a defined research project and can explain why conducting the work in person at Brown University is necessary.

The Center promotes research and understanding of global human rights and humanitarian challenges. Visiting Scholars become part of its intellectual community while maintaining a primary focus on their proposed research or writing project.

Appointments are available during the academic year from September 1 through May 30. For the Spring 2027 cycle, applicants should propose a suitable period for their visit within the available academic year.

International applicants should note that they may need an exchange visitor J 1 visa to enter the United States. Applicants are responsible for making appropriate arrangements for their visit.

Opportunity Benefits

• Short term affiliation with the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies at Brown University

• Opportunity to conduct research in person at Brown University

• Engagement with the CHRHS intellectual community

• Opportunity to give a public presentation or workshop on research or professional work

• Academic and professional networking with researchers and practitioners

• Opportunity to develop research and writing projects in a university environment

• Potential access to limited shared office space, subject to availability

• Opportunity to strengthen research connections in human rights and humanitarian studies

Programme Areas

The Center is particularly interested in applicants working on:

• Asylum and immigration rights

• Environmental justice

• Environmental rights

• Human rights

• Humanitarian studies

Applicants working on other relevant areas within human rights and humanitarian studies are also encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to academics on sabbatical

• Open to human rights practitioners

• Open to applicants based in the United States

• Open to international scholars and human rights practitioners

• Applicants should have a clearly defined research or writing project

• Applicants should be able to explain the need to pursue their project in person at Brown University

• Applicants should demonstrate qualifications relevant to their proposed research

• Applicants should identify a regular Brown University faculty member who can sponsor and supervise the visit if selected

• International applicants should be prepared to obtain an exchange visitor J 1 visa if required

• Appointments must be for at least one month and no longer than one semester

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter indicating the preferred timing of the appointment

• Short description and title of the proposed research project

• Explanation of why the project needs to be pursued in person at Brown University

• Research proposal of no more than three pages

• Explanation of how the research fits with the Center’s thematic priorities

• Evidence of qualifications relevant to the proposed research

• Curriculum vitae

• Names and contact information for two references

• Letter of endorsement from a regular Brown University faculty member who would sponsor and supervise the visit

Letters of reference from the two listed references are not required at the application stage.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to demonstrate the quality and relevance of the proposed research project, the applicant’s qualifications, and the connection between the project and the work of the Center. Applicants should clearly explain why the research requires an in person period at Brown University.

The strength of the proposed project, its connection to human rights and humanitarian studies, and the applicant’s ability to make productive use of the visiting scholar affiliation will be important considerations. A Brown University faculty endorsement and sponsorship is also required.

How to Apply

1. Review the Visiting Scholar Program requirements and confirm that your research or professional work fits within human rights and humanitarian studies.
2. Develop a clearly defined research project that can benefit from an in person affiliation with Brown University.
3. Prepare a cover letter stating your preferred appointment period, proposed project title, project description, and reason the research needs to be conducted in person at Brown.
4. Prepare a research proposal of no more than three pages, including the project’s connection to the Center’s thematic priorities and your relevant qualifications.
5. Prepare your curriculum vitae and the contact details of two references.
6. Secure a letter of endorsement from a regular Brown University faculty member who is willing to sponsor and supervise the proposed visit.
7. Submit all required materials through the official application form before November 1, 2026.

The Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies Visiting Scholar Program offers academics and human rights practitioners an opportunity to spend a dedicated period at Brown University developing their own research while participating in a wider intellectual community. Applicants should carefully plan for their own financial support because the visiting scholar affiliation does not include salary, benefits, or other compensation.