The Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School invites applications for Senior Scholar Fellowships for the 2014-2015 academic year. The Senior Scholar Fellowship is designed to provide senior scholars in the field the opportunity to spend an academic year or semester in residence at ILSP to research a topic of his/her choice.

ILSP’s mission is to become the leading center for the study of Islamic law and legal history, to promote the comparative and interdisciplinary study of Islamic law and society among students and faculty, and to collect and disseminate scholarly resources to facilitate academic study and public engagement on issues of Islamic law and policy.

To Apply

ILSP welcomes applications from tenured professors with at least one published book who are interested in spending an academic year or semester in residence at Harvard Law School working on scholarly projects, preferably relating to one of ILSP’s three research streams for the 2014-2015 academic year:

Stream 1. Islamic Law and Legal History. This stream covers both intellectual and social history, of any period: early, medieval, or early modern.

Stream 2. Islamic Law and Society. This stream covers anthropological, sociological, and political scientific approaches to the study of Islamic law in contemporary times.

Stream 3. Islamic Law Themes in Digital Humanities. This stream is not limited to a particular subject matter or period. The purpose is to collect and annotate scholarly resources, and make them available to the scholarly community through an online platform developed and supported by ILSP.

Scholars will be expected to share the results of their research by giving a presentation of an original paper at the Program’s Lecture Series.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. the application form
2. a curriculum vitae
3. a research statement (not to exceed 1000 words) that:
   • describes the proposed work during the fellowship period. The proposal should outline a specific research project that can be accomplished during the Scholar’s residence at Harvard Law School; and
   • sets forth a work output for the completed project (e.g., book, article, database/website entries).
   • identifies a research stream(s) in which the applicant’s research falls.
4. TWO letters of nomination sent directly to the program by the nominator.

We seek applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, traditions, and scholarly interests. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline

All applications must be received no later than April 1, 2014. E-mail applications are encouraged. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly from the nominator to the Program. Application materials may be sent by post, fax, or email (email strongly preferred) to:

email: ilsp@law.harvard.edu

fax: 617.496.2707

Islamic Legal Studies Program
Harvard Law School
Austin Hall 102
1515 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA

Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. No application will be returned. Any publications submitted may be placed in the Harvard Law School Library. Notification of decisions will be emailed within 30 days of the application deadline.

Additional Information

Funding and Facilities
This is a non-stipendiary fellowship. Scholars will receive an office, a networked computer, and full access to Harvard Law School and Harvard University libraries, computer systems and recreational facilities. Bringing one’s own laptop is highly recommended. Secretarial services are not provided.

Terms of Appointment
Scholars are appointed for an academic year (9 months) and are expected to be in residence at ILSP throughout the term of their appointment, unless travelling for pre-approved research purposes. The Program will also consider semester-long appointments for a four-month term: Fall (September 1 to December 31) or Spring (February 1 to May 31).

Housing
ILSP does not provide housing. No housing should be expected in University apartments or dormitory rooms, for which Harvard faculty and students have priority. Accepted Scholars are encouraged to seek outside housing several months before arriving in Cambridge, preferably in person. For assistance with accessing online resources for area housing, please contact ILSP staff.

Health Insurance
All Scholars must show proof of having adequate health insurance. Those who do not already possess such insurance can access information on Harvard Affiliate Health Insurance at the Harvard University Health Services website. A less expensive plan, available by the month, has been negotiated by Harvard’s International Office for international scholars.

Courses
Scholars may audit one Law School course on a non-credit basis per semester, with permission of the instructor. There is no tuition charge for auditing courses. Scholars do not have faculty status. Appointment as a Scholar does not entitle the individual to participation in any Harvard degree program.

Faculty Club
Scholars may apply for membership in the Harvard Faculty Club. The Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday. There is no membership fee and members are billed monthly for meals taken at the Club.

Activities
Scholars may take advantage of a wealth of cultural and academic extra-curricular offerings available to the Harvard community on a daily basis. Scholars should come prepared to share their professional experience and expertise, and will have opportunities to meet other scholars through functions organized by numerous groups and programs at Harvard Law School and other parts of the University.

For any questions or for further information, please address queries to the Islamic Legal Studies Program at ilsp@law.harvard.edu (email) or 617.496.3941 (phone).

All applications must be received no later than 1 April 2014.

Information http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/ilsp/resources/research_program.php