About the Programme
The Visiting Scholars Programme at NLSIU welcomes exceptional international scholars and practitioners engaged in research across law and social sciences. The programme extends to those holding a rank of Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor/Doctoral/Post Doctoral Candidate in their home university. The aim of the programme is to enable collaborative scholarship and promote a culture of knowledge sharing across disciplines. Visiting Scholars conduct their research in collaboration with or support of the NLSIU faculty members, and participate in the broader intellectual life at NLSIU, when required.
Visiting Scholars are hosted as guests of NLSIU for a pre-defined duration i.e., from three months to a year. Scholars will not be entitled to remuneration/honorarium or housing during their visit. They will have access to University facilities (e.g. Library) and office space, subject to availability.
The Visiting Scholars Programme is anchored by the Office of Dean Research. Applicants to the programme must be referred by a faculty member who is willing to act as an advisor to the proposed research. It is the responsibility of a prospective Visiting Scholar to contact appropriate faculty members in advance to support their application.
Scope of Affiliation
In addition to pursuing their own research objectives while at NLSIU, Visiting Scholars are invited to actively participate in other University activities, such as:
- Delivering a formal lecture at the University.
- Participating in faculty and research seminars.
- Engaging in formal or informal discussions with students.
- Undertaking collaborative research with faculty or staff.
- Presenting guest lectures in classes.
As non-employees, Visiting Scholars will not be given full-time teaching responsibilities but may be invited for guest lectures.
What is expected of a department or faculty member hosting a Visiting Scholar?
The relationship between a Visiting Scholar and an NLSIU faculty referee can range from occasional oversight to close collaboration. It is important that the nature and scope of the relationship, as well as the specifics of the prospective Visiting Scholar’s research project, be worked out by the two before the visiting scholar arrives at NLSIU.
Application Process
- The application for Visiting Scholars must be made through a faculty referee by filling up a form here.
- Applications should be for a minimum tenure of one trimester, i.e. 3 months.
- Checklist of Application Materials
- Résumé/CV
- Cover letter
- Research proposal with details of funding
- Letter of support from NLSIU faculty
Please note that the programme is unable to accommodate all those who express interest in visiting for research purposes. In selecting applicants for Visiting Scholar status, the Office of Dean Research will consider the applicant’s background, field of interest, scholarly achievements, research proposal, availability of NLSIU faculty for consultation in the proposed research area, and English language proficiency. Applicants should have completed their basic legal/social science studies with high academic standing.
Testimonials
Douglas McDonald-Norman
“I am currently a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales, researching administrative law and tribunals in India. As part of my PhD research, I was a Visiting Scholar at the National Law School of India University from July 15, 2024 to October 15, 2024. During my time as a Visiting Scholar at NLSIU, I was given so many opportunities to be part of the life of the university. I attended the school’s weekly Faculty Seminars, which are a forum for lively debate and discussion. I attended the 11th Annual Conference of the Berkeley Centre on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law (July 2024) and the Pluralist Agreement and Constitutional Transformation conference (August 2024), both of which were hosted at NLSIU. I was able to audit and even give guest presentations in Dr. Arun Thiruvengadam’s Constitutional Law-I classes. I met with students in Darshana Mitra’s clinic on citizenship law in India and was privileged to be able to confer with the legal NGO Parichay on their important work in resisting indefinite detention.
My position as Visiting Scholar provided invaluable opportunities for research in India. During my time at NLSIU, I travelled to Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Hyderabad to conduct fieldwork interviews and to meet with experts and practitioners in my field. My colleagues at NLSIU were very helpful in introducing me to potential interviewees or contacts; I am very grateful for their support.
Of my time at NLSIU, however, my favourite memories are of the friendships that I have made and strengthened while here. NLSIU is home to an extraordinary range of senior and junior faculty, researchers and staff, and I have gained so much, professionally and personally, from the opportunity to work with them. I had previously studied at NLSIU as an exchange student from July 2011 to February 2012. I was so delighted to return to an institution that means so much to me, which has made such seismic contributions to Indian law and legal practice, and which remains a pioneer in Indian legal education.
The NLSIU Visiting Scholar program has been an extraordinary experience for me. I am so grateful to the university and its faculty, especially Dr. Arun Thiruvengadam (Professor of Law), and Devyani Srivastava (Senior Manager-Research) for allowing me to take part in this program.”