The Department of Ethnic Studies UC Berkeley

How to become a Visiting Scholar in Ethnic Studies

The Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley is able to accommodate a limited number of visiting scholars each year to engage in significant independent research projects.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Graduate students are eligible to apply as “Visiting Student Researchers” when they meet the following specifications: https://vspa.berkeley.edu/vsdef.html#Student

US-based and international scholars are eligible to apply as “Visiting Scholars” when they meet the following specifications: https://vspa.berkeley.edu/vsdef.html#Scholar

 

The Application Process

All visiting scholars and visiting student researchers must receive an invitation from an Ethnic Studies faculty member.

Prospective visiting scholars and visiting student researchers who do not have an active collaboration in place with an ES faculty member can look for a faculty member whose research interests match their own. Faculty profiles can be found here.

Once a scholar has identified a potential faculty sponsor, they should provide the faculty member with the following information via email:

• current CV
• brief description of intended research(length should be 200 words or less)
• beginning and end date for their visit

If the scholar receives an invitation from the faculty member, the scholar should then contact Gillian Edgelow at gilliane@berkeley.edu for details on the administrative processes.

 

Fees

There are several fees involved in the process of obtaining Visiting Scholar status at UC Berkeley.

• $540 for the DS2019 host document for the J-1 Visa (there will also be a $180 SEVIS fee for the visa itself)
• $750 for University Services fee
• $500 Department fee per semester

Please note that the J-1 visa fee and University Services fee are both mandatory and cannot be waived.

 

Information Regarding Visas

J-1 Visas

Foreign visiting scholars will need to obtain a J-1 Visa to pursue their research in the Ethnic Studies Department. J-1 Visas are obtained by the issuance of a DS-2019 (which is the “certificate of eligibility”). There are several steps to securing a J-1 Visa and each step takes time. Plan for the visa application process to take 3-4 months, depending upon your home country.

Please note: Documentation of an “objective measurement” of English language proficiency is required for all J-1 Exchange Visitors. Either a recognized English language test (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, etc) or signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school.

 

Additional Information

Facilities

Visiting scholars have access to the University’s libraries and are given normal borrowing privileges. Visiting scholars do not have access to secretarial services, office space, office supplies, and generally do not have the use of telephones, fax or express mail services. Visiting scholars are often able to consult with faculty members interested in their field of study, and to participate in the intellectual life of the department by attending presentations and colloquia.

Visiting scholars in the Department of Ethnic Studies will be given access to the following:

Use of the department copier

Use of the department scanner

An email address @berkeley.edu

A wireless connection to the internet

A departmental mailbox

 

Health Insurance

Visiting scholars must have adequate health insurance during the entirety of their appointment at UC Berkeley. Details can be found here.

 

 

Questions?

All questions about the Ethnic Studies Visiting Scholar Program should be sent to:

Gillian Edgelow

Visiting Scholar Coordinator

510-643-7172

gilliane@berkeley.edu