OxPo selects one young scholar who has recently defended a PhD at the Ecole de la Recherche at Sciences Po, to spend one full academic year in Oxford as a Visiting Fellow, subject to visa requirements (see the OxPo exchange webpage for further links and information).
Under this OxPo scheme, the OxPo Postdoctoral Fellow:
- is affiliated as an Academic Visitor to one of the four partner Departments: History, Politics and International Relations, Social Policy and Intervention, or Sociology
- receives a grant from the Sciences Po Alumni Charity Trust UK
- is expected to be in Oxford for the three academic terms (Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity)
- has access to the Bodleian Library and a shared working space in one of the departments
- is invited to join other academic seminars in their host department and at the University
- is encouraged to present their research in one of the many University seminars
- contributes to the organisation of OxPo related activities and events and is in particular encouraged to organise a conference or a seminar at the Maison Française d'Oxford, during Trinity Term, on their research area
- can apply for affiliation to the Maison Française d’Oxford where small flats and rooms may be available for rent. The Maison Française d'Oxford offers social and academic activities with an extensive scientific and cultural programme. For information, please contact the Secretary
- submit a short report of activities including a list of publications and forthcoming publications, seminar contributions, etc at: oxpo@politics.ox.ac.uk. Reports are examined by the Scientific Management Committee and edited versions of the reports can be posted to help future candidates plan their visit.
Criteria
OxPo Scientific Management Committee’s priorities:
- Excellence of the candidate.
- Fit between the project and the ability of the scholar to fulfil his/her project in Oxford and to benefit from the academic environment to be joined. For instance, a stay in Oxford because of the resources and the prospect of working with other scholars (identified if possible) rather than a need to spend time exploring resources located in a different city.
- Benefit for the OxPo network in building further institutional connections and new collaborations as well as benefit for the individual scholar's research/career.
- People who have not taken part in the exchange before have priority, unless there are special circumstances such as the best opportunity to complete a project or the development of a new collaboration or programme.
Applications from postdoctoral candidates
All applications for an exchange in the academic year 2025-26 must be written in English, submitted by 3 March 2025 and submitted online as a Microsoft Form; we will soon update this page with a link to the form.
Applications must include:
- one short CV (maximum length: two A4 pages)
- one letter of motivation (maximum length: two A4 pages), highlighting:
- the research project or purpose of the application to the exchange scheme, i.e. how the exchange will further your research plans and future collaborations
- the academics you intend to work with in Oxford (please mention if you have been in touch with them already, although there is no requirement for you to have done so)
- the Oxford Department (DPIR, Sociology, SPI, History) you feel you would best fit in
- the planned dates of your stay
Applications from postdoctoral candidates must also include:
- a letter of recommendation from your PhD supervisor
- please indicate the date of your PhD defence (as requested in the form). The PhD must be defended prior to going to Oxford.