Witwatersrand-Cambridge Exchange Programme

The SA UK Bilateral Research Chair in Political Theory, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, and Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Cambridge, hereby announces a new academic exchange programme. 

Early career lecturers, postdoctoral fellows and PhD students whose research in political theory (broadly conceived) would benefit from spending time in the other institution are encouraged to apply for this scheme. The scheme can accommodate visits for one month up to six months in either institution. This exchange programme is one of the central pillars of the Bilateral Research Chair in Political Theory, held by Professor Lawrence Hamilton, who as a condition of the Chair is based at Wits for the first six months of each calendar year and at POLIS for the second six months of the year. Researchers should ideally therefore arrange their stay so that it coincides with the teaching terms at Wits and Cambridge and includes some overlap with his movements (though this is not mandatory if timings can not work out this way).

Researchers going to Cambridge

In Cambridge, visiting Wits researchers will be affiliated with POLIS and provided with desk space (whenever possible and usually in a shared open space), a library card and access to Cambridge online resources. All travel and living expenses will be covered by the Chair and, where possible, visitors will be given a college affiliation and access to college accommodation. Visiting Wits researchers will be encouraged to play a full part in the academic life of POLIS, through participation in seminars and interaction with faculty.

Researchers going to Wits

In Wits, visiting Cambridge Researchers will be affiliated with the Chair and provided with desk space (whenever possible and usually in a shared open space), a library card and access to Wits online resources. All travel and living expenses will be covered by the Chair and accommodation will be provided on campus. Visiting Cambridge researchers will be encouraged to play a full part in the academic life of Wits, through participation in seminars, particularly the Chair seminar series, and interaction with faculty.

Application Process

Interested PhD students should send:

  • a covering letter, detailing briefly their PhD research and the academic reasons for their visit
  • a detailed CV (2 pages) and a short (2 page) outline of their PhD project
  • a letter of recommendation from their supervisor. 

Interested academics should send:

  • a covering letter detailing the academic reasons for their visit and identifying how working under the auspices of the Chair in the host institution would advance their and the Chair’s research aims.
  • a detailed CV

Applications should be sent to Lawrence Hamilton (lah1001@cam.ac.uk or Lawrence.Hamilton@wits.ac.za), ccing the POLIS PhD Administrator (PhDadmin@polis.cam.ac.uk) and Nonkululeko Botile (nonkululeko.botile@wits.ac.za)

The deadlines for applications are: 15 Dec and 15 May.

Within a month of coming back to their home institutions, exchange visitors are required to provide a short report (2 pages max) about their stay.