Visiting Scholars Program

Visiting scholars range from senior faculty at the world’s leading research institutions to doctoral students beginning their scholarly careers. Their research and scholarship touch on a multitude of legal disciplines, including comparative and international criminal law, human rights, legal philosophy, commercial and corporate law, constitutional law, and international private and public law.

All visiting scholars participate in the weekly Visiting Scholar Forum series, where they present their work in progress to peers from around the world.

With permission from the instructor, visiting scholars can audit up to two Columbia classes each semester. They have access to Columbia Law School’s Arthur W. Diamond Law Library and many of its digital databases and free printing facilities, as well as a dedicated off-site, 24-hour workspace equipped with wireless access and other amenities.

Note: The term Visiting Scholar is a courtesy designation that does not signify a formal association or academic appointment with the University. Individuals named to these titles may not claim a university affiliation for the purpose of applying for grants or contracts and should not represent themselves in their publications, or otherwise, as having a university affiliation.

Applications

The program holds three intake periods per year, each with rolling admission:

• Fall Intake (April 1 application deadline)
• Spring Intake (September 1 application deadline) 
• Summer (March 1 application deadline)

All prospective Visiting Scholars, regardless of country of residence or any existing affiliation, must submit an application form and the supporting materials. The online application for each of these three cycles will be made available at least two months prior to the deadline for each cycle.

The supporting materials (preferable in PDF format) are:

• Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
• One-page research proposal
• List of Publications
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation

The Office of International Programs will generally not review applications, regardless of when submitted, until shortly after the deadline associated with each respective intake period. A response will take approximately eight weeks. Under extraordinary circumstances, such as to meet the deadline of a prospective funding source, you may submit a form to request early and/or expedited consideration.

Current Visiting Scholars