Honorary appointments

The title of Visiting Scholar is granted by the School to a recognised scholar from a non-UK university or research institution, who is known to a SOAS academic department, centre or institute and who wishes to spend a period of no more than 12 months at the School in the first instance. Visiting scholars are expected to be physically present at the School for part or all of their appointment and contribute to the intellectual life of the School.

The title is granted by the School on the recommendation of a department, centre or institute. 

Benefits

The benefits of a Visiting Scholar include:

• Full membership of the SOAS Library, including off-site electronic resource access
• SOAS login, email account and staff web page
• Use of the Staff Common Room and library working space (we are unable to provide office space) 
• Attendance at lectures and seminars

While the title of Visiting Scholar does not constitute a paid employment position, we encourage all our Visiting Scholars to play a full and active part in the intellectual life of the School. Visiting Scholars are not permitted to teach whilst at SOAS, however pro-bono contributions to teaching and research are encouraged where appropriate.

Process of appointment

You must be an academic based at a higher education or research institution outside the UK to be eligible. To apply, please complete and email the application form to the department, centre or institute you wish to be based in.

You can find the relevant department's contact details on its web page. See the lists of departments, institutes and regional centres, and research centres.

For your application to be successful, it must have the approval of the relevant head of department, Centre or Institute.

The hosting Department / Centre / Institute should submit approved application packs to DVCResearch@soas.ac.uk, who will issue a letter of confirmation. SOAS email account access / Security ID will be arranged by the hosting unit's administrative support contact or College Hub.

All appointments are for a fixed term.

Fee

A bench fee is charged at the rate of £2,200 per annum plus VAT (or £2,640 inclusive), or £220 per month plus VAT (or £264 inclusive) for periods of less than a year. The bench fee is payable two weeks before arrival.

Visas

Visiting Scholars should ensure that they make appropriate visa arrangements if necessary. Please see the official government site, providing information and advice on UK visas.

Accommodation

Please note that SOAS does not have any residential accommodation of its own, and we ask you to make your own arrangements. You may find the University of London Accommodation Office helpful.   

Attestation

The host Department or Centre will issue an attestation which can be used as documentation:

• To open a UK bank account
• For prospective landlords

Application form

• Honorary appointments application form (Word, 38KB)

The titles of Research Associate, Post-Doctoral Research Associate or Professorial Research Associate are granted by the School to individuals who wish to work with, or affiliate their work with, a SOAS Department or Centre/Institute which they are known to.

Research Associates may or may not be physically present at the School for the duration of their appointment, but they are expected to contribute to the School’s research. 

This status is granted by the School on the recommendation of a Head of Department or Centre/Institute.

Types of Research Associate

• Conferral of the title of Research Associate will normally be for up to two years with provision for extension if requested and there is evidence of productive collaboration with the School.
• Post-Doctoral Research Associates should be recently-graduated PhD students of the School who wish to continue their affiliation to the School in order to publish the results of their doctoral research and/or develop new projects. The title of Post-Doctoral Research Associate is for two years, and is non-renewable.
• Professorial Research Associates should be distinguished scholars with professorial status accorded by a reputable higher education. Conferral of the title of Professorial Research Associate will normally be for up to two years with provision for extension if requested and there is evidence of productive collaboration with the School.

Benefits

The benefits of a Research Associate include: 

• Reference-only SOAS Library membership, including walk-in access to some electronic resources
• Use of the Staff Common Room and Library working space (we are unable to provide you with an office)
• SOAS login, email account and staff web page
• Use of the School’s affiliation in giving public lectures or submitting material for publication
• Attendance at lectures and seminars

Post-Doctoral Research Associates can also access the SOAS Doctoral School.

While the role of a Research Associate does not constitute a paid employment position, we encourage all our Research Associates to play a full and active part in the intellectual life of the School. Research Associates are not permitted to teach whilst at SOAS, however pro-bono contributions to teaching and research are encouraged where appropriate.

Process of appointment

To apply, please complete and email the application form to the department, centre or institute you wish to be based in.

You can find the relevant department's contact details on its web page. See the lists of departments, institutes and regional centres, and research centres.

For your application to be successful, it must have the approval of the relevant head of department, centre or institute.

The hosting Department / Centre / Institute should submit approved application packs to DVCResearch@soas.ac.uk, who will issue a letter of confirmation. SOAS email account access / Security ID will be arranged by the hosting unit's administrative support contact or College Hub.

Library membership

During your appointment, you will have on-site access to our library collections (including our special collections and archives). Photocopying facilities are available in the Library at additional cost. It is recommended that you bring a memory stick if you wish to save electronic information such as journal articles. Due to licensing restrictions, remote access to electronic resources is not included in Library membership.

Individuals can apply for Borrowing Membership at the SOAS Library at a cost of £200 per annum or £100 for 6 month. You can apply immediately on arrival at the Library.

If scholars subscribe to reciprocal access schemes (e.g., SCONUL or UoL) or are a retired member of SOAS staff, they can use the Library without charge on presentation of credentials from their home institution.

Visas

Research Associates should ensure that they make appropriate visa arrangements if necessary. Please see the government website on UK visas.

Accommodation

Please note that SOAS does not have any residential accommodation of its own, and we ask you to make your own arrangements. You may find the University of London Accommodation Office helpful.

Application form

• Honorary appointments application form (Word, 38KB)

The title of Senior Fellow is granted by the School to individuals who have achieved distinction in a practice or profession of relevance to the SOAS mission and who wish to actively work with the School in pursuit of a common goal. Senior Fellows may or may not be physically present in the School for the duration of their appointment but are expected to play an active part in the life of the School.

This status is granted by the School on the recommendation of a head of department, centre or institute.

Conferral of the title of Senior Fellow will normally be for a period of three years with provision for extension if requested, based on evidence of productive collaboration with the School.  

Benefits

The benefits of a Senior Fellow include: 

• Reference-only Library membership, including walk-in access to some electronic resources
• Use of Staff Common Room and Library working space (we are unable to provide you with an office)
• Use of the School’s affiliation in giving public lectures or submitting material for publication 

Application procedure

The process for conferring the status of Senior Fellow is initiated by the School.

Nominations originate from heads of departments, centres or institutes and include a brief statement of the nature of the Fellow’s proposed contribution to the School along with the individual’s curriculum vitae.

Library membership

During your appointment, you will have on-site access to our library collections (including our special collections and archives). Photocopying facilities are available in the Library at additional cost. It is recommended that you bring a memory stick if you wish to save electronic information such as journal articles. Due to licensing restrictions, remote access to electronic resources is not included in Library membership.

Individuals can apply for Borrowing Membership at the SOAS Library at a cost of £200 per annum or £100 for six months. You can apply immediately on arrival at the Library.

If scholars subscribe to reciprocal access schemes (eg, SCONUL or UoL) or are a retired member of SOAS staff, they can use the Library without charge on presentation of credentials from their home institution.

Visas

Senior Fellows should ensure that they make appropriate visa arrangements if necessary. Please see the official government site, providing information and advice on UK visas.

Accommodation

Please note that SOAS does not have any residential accommodation of its own, and we ask you to make your own arrangements. You may find the University of London Accommodation Office helpful.