Research Interests

Resources Available to Scholars

How to Apply

The Visiting Scholar Program is an opportunity for scholars to pursue research projects relevant to women using the vast resources available through the Center for the Education of Women (CEW) and the University of Michigan.

Visiting scholars prepare a working paper based upon their research, which is published as part of the Center’s series of occasional papers.  Scholars are also expected to present their work at a research seminar or workshop.

Scholars may be appointed in a variety of ways, depending on the needs and circumstances of the scholar.  In certain cases, a University department relevant to the scholar’s research interest may arrange for a concurrent appointment or consultant contract. Scholars must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree.  A scholar’s stay at the Center can range from one to twelve months, preferably between the months of September and May.

Exciting opportunities for individual or collaborative research exist at the University of Michigan.  UM President Mary Sue Coleman characterizes University of Michigan faculty as having “tremendous strength in interdisciplinarity and collaborative research.  Excellence in research is a crucial element in the University's high ranking among educational institutions.

Funding for visiting scholars is available through the Jean Campbell Research Fund.  A stipend of up to $7,500 per scholar is available to offset the visiting scholar’s travel, housing and other expenses.  This funding may also be used to arrange for graduate research assistance.

Past visiting scholars have come from locations near and far and from a wide variety of disciplines.  For example, sociologist Elina Haavio-Manila visited from Finland; while educator Genevieve Agulanna came from Nigeria; historian Linda Eisenmann came from the University of Massachusetts; higher education scholar Anna Neumann came from Michigan State University; and political scientist Peggy Kahn joined the Center from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Research Topics Eligible for the Visiting Scholar Program

The Center for the Education of Women conducts and sponsors research in a variety of areas important to women.  The visiting scholar Program is one of several methods by which CEW advances its research agenda.

The Center's primary research interests include:

Women in Higher Education

Women's Employment

Women and Work

Women of Color in the Academy

Gender and Education

Women in Non-Traditional Fields

Leadership

Gender Equity in Education and Employment

Gender and Poverty

Other areas of research may also be considered for support through the Visiting Scholar Program.

Resources Offered to Visiting Scholars

The Center for the Education of Women, the University of Michigan, and communities in the southeastern Michigan area offer a broad array of resources to visiting scholars.  These include:

Office space, support and funding are provided through the Center for the Education of Women.  Established by the University of Michigan in 1964, CEW quickly became -- and has remained -- a pre-eminent model of the comprehensive, university-based women's center.  CEW's ground-breaking research, advocacy, policy development and service in the areas of women's education, employment and leadership have contributed to the progress women have made over the past three decades.

CEW's library provides information to researchers, program participants, and the University community in all the areas of CEW activity. Visiting scholars find our library collection particularly strong in the areas of women in the workforce, women in higher education, general statistical information on women, and materials of historical significance or specific relevance to the state of Michigan and the University of Michigan.  The CEW librarian is available to provide hands-on assistance to scholars and other patrons searching the library and the world wide web for resources.

Scholars have full access to the University of Michigan's libraries and computing resources.  Visiting Scholars may draw upon a comprehensive library system that includes the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, the Harold T. and Vivian B. Shapiro Undergraduate Library, the Taubman Medical Library, nineteen divisional libraries, seven departmental and area collections, and the following special libraries: Law Library, William L. Clements Library of Americana, Michigan Historical Collections/Bentley Historical Library, and Kresge Business Administration Library. The total University holdings numbers over 7,000,000 volumes, the seventh largest among U.S. research libraries.

Another valuable resource at the University is the Institute for Social Research (ISR), established in 1948 for interdisciplinary research in the social and behavioral sciences.  ISR is the largest university-based social research unit in the world.  ISR includes four research centers:  the Survey Research Center, founded in 1946; the Research Center for Group Dynamics, founded in 1947; the Center for Political Studies, founded in 1970; and the Population Studies Center, which became ISR's fourth center in 1998.  It also is the location of the Inter-University Consortium of Political and Social Research, the world's largest repository of computer-readable social science data.

Ann Arbor offers a cultural mix of people and activities unique for the Midwest.  A variety of interesting restaurants, art spaces, musical offerings and other entertainment abound for scholars to enjoy outside of their research hours. The communities of Detroit, Flint, and Lansing, Michigan, as well as Toledo, Ohio, are all within an hour’s drive of Ann Arbor.  These locations provide additional opportunities for community-based research and/or after-hours entertainment.

Additional information is available about the University's research resources.

How to Apply to the Visiting Scholars Program

Individuals interested in applying should develop a letter of approximately two pages outlining their proposed project, funding requirements, and anticipated dates of stay.  A vita should be sent along with this proposal.  No application form is required. 

Send your proposal package to:

Carol Hollenshead, Director
Center for the Education of Women
330 East Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan   48104-2289

Applications for Visiting Scholars wishing to begin their visit in the fall term are due by March 1.  Those wishing to begin their visit in the winter term must apply by June 1.  While stays can vary in length from one to twelve months, scholars are encouraged to arrange for stays between the months of September and May.

Interested applicants may contact Beth Sullivan with informal inquiries prior to applying for the program.  Ms. Sullivan may be reached by phone at 734.764.6343 or by email at  bsulliva@umich.edu.