Weatherhead Scholars Program Visiting Scholar in International Affairs

Weatherhead Scholars Program Visiting Scholar in International Affairs

The Weatherhead Scholars Program at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs invites applications for its  Visiting Scholar appointments, a one-year, residential opportunity for tenured or tenure-track faculty members. Visiting Scholars are in residence at Harvard for the academic year, where they join a multidisciplinary cohort—including postdoctoral fellows and practitioner fellows—and pursue independent research on international, comparative, transnational, or global issues in the social sciences.

The program fosters a dynamic intellectual community through a weekly seminar, professional development workshops, and engagement with the broader Weatherhead Center and Harvard communities. Participants are expected to be on campus from late August through mid-May and to participate actively in program activities. While the appointment is typically for one academic year, in limited cases one-semester appointments may be possible.

The Weatherhead Center is Harvard's largest international research center, supporting rigorous scholarship on global, comparative, transnational, and international issues. Founded in 1958, the Center brings together faculty, fellows, and students from across the University to address pressing global challenges, including conflict and governance, inequality, environmental change, migration, and international development. It serves as an interdisciplinary hub for research, exchange, and public dialogue.

The Weatherhead Scholars Program is a flagship initiative of the Center that brings together an intellectually diverse, international cohort of postdoctoral researchers, visiting scholars, and practitioner fellows for a year-long residency. Fellows pursue independent research while participating in a weekly seminar, professional development sessions, and collaborative programming across the Center. The program cultivates a vibrant intellectual community that bridges academia and practice, drawing scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds—including government, journalism, diplomacy, civil society, and academia.

Applicants must hold a PhD in a social science discipline—such as international affairs, political science, sociology, history, economics, environmental studies, or a related field—and a tenured or tenure-track position at an academic institution. They must be actively engaged in research on international, comparative, transnational, or global issues in the social sciences.

Please note:

This appointment is intended for individuals in tenured or tenure-track faculty positions. If you are not in a tenured or tenure-track role, or if you are an academic researcher affiliated with a think tank or research institute—you should apply to the Practitioner Fellowship. Recent PhD graduates should consider applying to our Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Final date to receive applications is October 8, 2026. Administrative fee of $5,000 per semester ($10,000 for the academic year). In past years, this fee has been covered through personal financing, government support, or private funding from foundations and research centers.

Contact Information:
Walid Hammam, Director, Weatherhead Scholars Program, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University. Please see the Weatherhead Scholars Program website and Frequently Asked Questions before contacting.