Purpose
St Catherine’s College has an annual programme under which scholars, either from the UK or from overseas, who may wish to spend a term in Oxford are welcomed as either Christensen or Visiting Fellows with temporary membership of the Senior Common Room. These Fellowships are non-stipendiary and ideally suited to faculty members on sabbatical leave from their permanent university positions.
Visiting Fellows enjoy many of the benefits of working in an international centre for research and cultural activities and as members of St Catherine’s College, they join one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. St Catherine’s, founded in 1962 by Sir Alan Bullock, is one of the youngest but largest undergraduate and graduate colleges in the University. It is proud of its striking modernist and iconic buildings, which Alan Bullock commissioned from the Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. The buildings are Grade 1 listed and provide a unique environment for fellows and students alike.
Christensen Fellowships are awarded to distinguished academic visitors who are members of their national academy – equivalent to the Royal Society and the British Academy in the UK – or, if at an earlier stage in their academic career, likely to attain that standard. Accommodation is offered free to Christensen Fellows in one of the College’s properties on Bath Street, close to the River Cherwell and around 20 minutes’ walk from the College and Oxford city centre. Ordinary Visiting Fellowships do not have accommodation rights attached to them, however, accommodation may be available for rent from the College.
Application
Applicants need to apply in writing with an up-to-date CV of no more than 6 pages which includes major and recent publications, together with a short summary of the work they intend to do during the tenure of their Fellowship. Emphasis should be placed on evidence of scholarship and research plans. Where applicants have some connection or association with a member of the College’s academic staff, this should be mentioned so that if their application is successful, that individual can act as host during their stay.
At the same time they should ask three referees to write in support of their application. The College does not prompt referees for references.
Applications should be sent to the Master at the address below.
Criteria
Visiting Fellowships
Demonstrable research presence at a national level in chosen field, through significant publications in the literature, and a relevant research grant portfolio, where appropriate. Recognition by peers of contribution made. Coherent research plans for the time at St Catherine’s.
Christensen Fellowships
As above, but for senior academic positions with an internationally established profile and liaisons.
It is hoped that any Visiting Fellowship will result in a mutually beneficial relationship between the individual and the College and establish a relationship which ideally might extend beyond the tenure of the Fellowship itself.
Selection
Applications are considered by the Visiting and Research Fellowships Committee on Wednesday of the sixth week of each term and recommendations are made to the Governing Body in eighth week. Applications are generally made about a year in advance. Fellowships are usually for one term although election may be for two terms. It is a term-time only position. The exact dates for Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity terms are fixed some three years ahead and are available from the Master’s Office should you require them in advance of your application.
The upcoming deadlines for receipt of applications are as follows:
- Friday 9 February 2024
- Friday 17 May 2024
- Friday 8 November 2024
Terms and Conditions
Visiting Fellows become members of the Senior Common Room (SCR) and receive common table throughout their stay. They also enjoy some more limited SCR rights after they have left.
Applicants who would like to be considered for Christensen Fellowships at St Catherine’s College should not be applying to other institutions at the same time.
Applications can be made in writing or via email to:
The Master
St Catherine’s College
Manor Road
Oxford
OX1 3UJ
Tel: 01865 271762
Email: masters.office@stcatz.ox.ac.uk