Fulbright Flinders University Distinguished Chair in American Political Science

Applications for the 2013 Fulbright Flinders University Distinguished Chair in American Political Science are open from February until August 2012.

The Distinguished Chair Program is viewed as among the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Established in 2005, this scholarship is for a leading U.S. professor to conduct collaborative research at the host institution along with some guest lectures at advanced undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A national tour with guest presentations at institutions across Australia will be coordinated in cooperation with the Fulbright Commission and the U.S. Embassy. The scholarship supports a 4-5 month position.

The Fulbright Distinguished Chair Program operates through the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES, www.cies.org/Chairs/) and operates much like the U.S. Fulbright Senior Scholar Program.

There are currently only about 40 Fulbright Distinguished Chairs across 15 countries, and the Australian Fulbright Distinguished Chair is the first Fulbright Distinguished Chair for the East Asia Pacific region.

Download the pdf for more information, or visit the Flinders University website.

Specialisation in American Political Science

The specialisation could include political thought, comparative politics, government, federalism, foreign policy, international relations (including security). Recognition as a scholar and teacher with rank of full or Associate Professor is required.

Eligibility

Candidates should be senior scholars and have a significant publication and teaching record with rank of full or Associate Professor. For further information visit CIES at www.cies.org/Chairs/

Fulbright Flinders University Distinguished Chair Benefits

The value of the Distinguished Chair in 2011-15 will be USD46,000 for 4-5 months and includes:

• A monthly stipend for a maximum of 5 months
• accommodation in a furnished apartment near the university arranged by Flinders University
• Generous travel entitlement
• Travel allowance for a Australian lecture tour

Beyond the funds related to the Fulbright Scholarship, the program also provides:

• Health coverage under Medicare (Scholar only)
  
• Health and Accident Insurance (ASPE) to maximum of US$100,000 (Scholar only)
• Tuition fee waiver for school age dependent’s enrolling in an Australian Public School
  
• Invitation to Fulbright events including an Enrichment Seminar for US Fulbright Scholars to be held in Canberra in August annually
  
• Access to Fulbright Alumni Association in the US to assist in your preparation and in Australia for social and professional networks
• Support through the Fulbright Commission to assist with administration, visas and general enquiries.

Applicant Information

Applicants should apply online through the CIES Fulbright Distinguished Chair site at www.cies.org/Chairs/

Note: applicants are not required to submit a course syllabus for this scholarship.

Background Information

This position is intended to increase the awareness of the study of American politics and government in Australia and promote comparative and collaborative research in political science between Australia and the U.S. A national speaking tour to visit interstate universities is thus a part of this Distinguished Chair Program. The Chair is also expected to undertake targeted media interviews coordinated with the Fulbright Commission.

The Fulbright Flinders University Distinguished Chair will be affiliated with the Department of American Studies at Flinders University, which supports a strong American studies program, offers undergraduate courses in American politics and government, American political history, American political thought, and an internship program in the United States Congress. The Americanists in the school are research-active and supervise PhD students in American politics and political history.

For more information please contact:

Professor Don DeBats, Head, Department of American Studies, Flinders University at don.debats@flinders.edu.au ; or

Ms Lyndell Wilson, Manager, Scholarships and Strategic Engagement, Australian-American Fulbright Commission at Lyndell.Wilson@fulbright.com.au

Timeline for 2012-2013

February 2011	Competition opens
August 2011	Applications close
October - November	Peer review assessment in U.S. coordinated by CIES
December	Short –listed applications are forwarded to the Fulbright Commission for final selection process.(pending final approval by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in the United States)
January or February	Successful applicant notified
August 2012 or February  2013	Fulbright Flinders University Distinguished Chair can be commenced in August 2012, or in February 2013.