Visiting Research Students can be based at Durham for a period from a week to a year. They are generally students registered for doctorates at another institution and often in their second or third year of study. We give preference to applications for visits of up to three months, though we will consider applications for longer stays in order to allow visitors to engage in research with academics working in related fields. Visiting Research Students are expected to pursue a specific research project while within the department, and expected both to deliver and participate in research seminars. Shared office space, a computer terminal and access to our library facilities may be available depending on resource constraints.
During teaching periods, they may if they wish, and where appropriate, attend courses taught within the Department. There may be an additional ‘bench fee’ charge for this; it is not our intention to provide substitute teaching for doctoral students of the kind they cannot access in their home institutions. It will not be possible for Visiting Research Students to contribute to the teaching of modules.
The Department does not provide financial support for travel, accommodation or subsistence. Scholars are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct travel documentation, including visas.
Because of the large number of applications we receive each year, Durham Archaeology Department is unable to accommodate all those who express interest in visiting for research purposes. In selecting applicants for Visiting Research Student status, the Department Research Committee considers the nature of the applicant's proposal (including the anticipated research output(s)), the expected duration of their research, prior academic experience, levels of English language attainment and the contribution that the visit will make to the research environment of the Archaeology Department. Applicants are also expected to be affiliated with a university, research institute or governmental programme in their home country.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Every attempt will be made to provide a decision within six to eight weeks of submission of the application. We strongly recommend you apply well in advance of your proposed visit dates.
Below we provide detailed guidelines on how to apply.
We would like the Visiting Student Programme to contribute positively to the overall research and learning environment of our department. The aims of the Programme are to:
Once your visit is approved, you will receive:
The Archaeology Department may be unable to offer office space to Visiting Scholars. However, the Archaeology Department building is next door to the Bill Bryson library with over 1200 study spaces. An induction to using the Archaeology library can be arranged prior prior to arrival. Durham University also provides wireless access points throughout the centre of Durham, to which visitors will have access. Academic visitors are therefore welcome to bring their own laptops with them, but must be aware that all laptops must have suitable and regularly updated anti-virus software, and must have up to-date critical updates for Windows. Macintosh computers are also supported by the University’s IT department.
Depending on the length of their visit and the nature of their research, visitors are expected to contribute actively to academic life in the Department, in particular through participating in research seminars relevant to their research and through discussion with their supervisor/sponsor. The following is a list of other ways in which a visitor can make this contribution:
Visiting Scholars may be based at Durham for a period from a week to a year. We give preference to applications for visits of up to three months, though we will consider applications for longer stays in order to allow Scholars to engage in research with academics working in related fields. Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan their stay to cover at least part of an academic term, in order to maximise their exposure to the research community at the Archaeology Department.
Although the Visiting Research Student will be independent and responsible for his or her own research activities and work agenda whilst in Durham, the Archaeology Department considers it a priority that visiting scholars be welcomed into our research community and be integrated as much as practicable into the work of the Archaeology Department.
The expectation that visiting scholars contribute actively to the research environment at Durham is met through the provision of a supervisor/sponsor. Prospective visiting scholars must identify a possible supervisor/sponsor and contact them prior to submitting an application to be a visiting scholar at the Archaeology Department. The supervisor/sponsor should indicate clearly that they are familiar with the applicant's work and/or research area and support the application, and that they undertake to act as the applicant's supervisor/sponsor during their research stay.
Upon arrival at Durham, the visiting scholar's supervisor/sponsor will introduce the scholar to other members of the research community at Durham who work in similar areas of research, will invite visiting scholars to any research clusters or other events being organised by the Archaeology Department, and will otherwise be available to provide assistance. The sponsor should also facilitate the visiting scholar's active contribution to research at Durham Archaeology Department.
If the supervisor/sponsor is not present for the duration of a scholar's research stay, they are responsible for approaching and identifying a second academic sponsor who might continue to provide support in their absence.
Durham Archaeology Department does not provide a salary or other payments to visitors. Visitors should apply for research funding schemes through their own home institution or equivalent. The academic visitor will be responsible for his/her own travel, accommodation and maintenance costs. Visitors are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct travel documentation, including visas.
Durham Archaeology can supply an official letter confirming acceptance as a visitor that can be used to support any application that made, but unfortunately the Archaeology Department cannot assist the applicant.
Visitors will be asked to provide the Archaeology Department with a short biography and a statement of what they intend to do during their visit prior to their arrival. This information will then be posted on the Academic Visitors' section of the Department's website. This information can be amended upon request.
At the end of their stay, visitors will be asked to provide a short report to be attached to their web profile, providing a brief account of any research or other activities undertaken and how they have contributed to the Department during their stay.
In addition, the Archaeology Department requests that any visitor who uses his/her visit for research purposes, and subsequently publishes material arising from this research, send the Department a copy or off-print of any book, article or any other publication which results.
Applications will be accepted at any point during the year and will not be restricted to University term time. The applicant will need to complete the postgraduate application form. Other information for prospective students may be found via this Applying to Durham webpage including fees, healthcare and insurance, and much more.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/79645-1920X290.jpg)