Visiting Scholars

There are three schemes through which visiting scholars can come and spend time in the School of Geography:

School of Geography Distinguished Visitor

QMUL Distinguished Visiting Fellows

The QMUL Distinguished Visiting Fellows scheme is being restructured. Further details on the new scheme will be available during Summer 2011.

Previous fellows include: Katharine Rankin (University of Toronto), Maria Kaika (University of Manchester) and Wendy Larner (University of Bristol). Maria Kaika writes: The unique combination of intellectual stimulation and friendliness made my engagement with academic staff and graduate students one of the most inspiring periods of my academic life. I would also like to comment on the excellent infrastructure available for Visiting Scholars at Queen Mary. Giving me full access to brilliant office space, and IT and library facilities at the City Centre and the Graduate School and offering me superb accommodation –with majestic views of my research area- enabled me to pursue my work effectively. I enjoyed life on Queen Mary campus, with its formidable built environment, open spaces and high quality catering facilities.

School of Geography Distinguished Visitor

Each year the School invites a Distinguished Visitor to come and spend a week with us. Those visiting alternate between human and physical geography. The visitor gives a public lecture, meets with postgraduate students, and takes part in other events designed to encourage intensive discussion of research interests. Previous visitors include Professor Cindy Katz (City University of New York), Professor William Ruddiman (University of Virginia) and Professor Julie Graham (University of Massachusetts, Amherst).

“I enjoyed my time ... at Queen Mary immensely. What a department you’ve got! I had wonderful interactions with so many people there, and got terrific and inspiring and incredibly useful feedback on my work in both the research frameworks and more formal sessions, as well as in all the various informal gatherings. I so appreciated ... your colleagues’ generosity intellectually ...”

Professor Cindi Katz (CUNY)

School of Geography Visiting Scholars

Academics who are planning to take sabbatical leave are invited to apply for the position of Visiting Scholar in the School of Geography. We will pay up to £1000 towards the cost of air fares and will provide desk, computer, library and office facilities for a period of up to eight weeks. Although we are unable to provide accommodation in London, the College has rooms that can be hired for a reasonable price (subject to availability). The Visiting Scholar will be expected to take part in School research activities and to give a research seminar to staff and graduate students.

All those who are interested should contact a member of academic staff or the acting School of Geography Research and Teaching Officer (Marta Timoncini at m.timoncini@qmul.ac.uk). Application must include current CV and statement of the work to be undertaken during the proposed visit.

Dr Phil Kelly (York University, Toronto) commented in August 2005: “I found the department to have an exceptionally rich intellectual life and a rare degree of collegiality and friendliness. I think of Queen Mary as a model department in every respect, and a perfect place for the weary sabbaticant to recharge batteries!”