Global Media Visiting Scholar Program

The Global Media Visiting Scholar program offers university faculty, doctoral students as well as media executives and professionals from around the world the opportunity to undertake one or two semesters (up to six or 12 months) of research and creative activities in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

Program Details

Robertson School Global Media Visiting Scholars Yifeng Lu, Rong Fu, Aygün Özsalih and Xiaoli Liang
Robertson School Global Media Visiting Scholars: Yifeng Lu, left, Rong Fu, Aygün Özsalih and Xiaoli Liang

The program recruits competent, active, motivated and intellectually dedicated individuals who are working on significant scholarly (research or creative) projects. Collaboration is a key part of the program and each visiting scholar or professional is matched with at least one faculty member in the Robertson School.

As a visiting scholar or professional, you can expect to participate in some of the following:

  • Connect with Robertson School faculty in discussing common interests and developing scholarly collaborations
  • Present scholarly work or experience to the VCU community or at other professional venues
  • Visit media and communication practice outlets in Richmond, Va., Washington D.C., and/or other locations
  • Visit with select Robertson School graduate and undergraduate classes and engage in scholarly exchanges with faculty and students (subject to the school’s prior approval)
  • Enroll in VCU courses for non-native English speakers at an additional fee
  • Access campus resources and facilities such as libraries, wireless internet connection on campus, recreational facilities, etc. (subject to VCU regulations)

Eligibility

If you are interested in participating in the Global Media Visiting Scholar program, you must be:

  • A university faculty member, doctoral student, or media executive or professional from outside the U.S.
  • A competent, active, motivated and intellectually dedicated individual who is working on significant scholarly (research or creative) projects
  • Able to work independently on scholarly projects
  • Able to communicate in English
  • Willing to be matched and/or collaborate with a Robertson School faculty member as a scholarship mentor

Cost

If accepted, applicants are required to pay a program fee of $2,500 (for a visit of up to six months) or $5,000 (for a visit of up to 12 months), prior to their arrival.

The applicant is responsible for completing all necessary U.S. entry visa application procedures and paperwork. The applicant is also responsible for making arrangements and paying for his/her own travel, accommodation, required health insurance, local transportation and other living expenses.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your application package to Marcus Messner, Ph.D., professor and area associate dean, College of Humanities and Sciences, at mmessner@vcu.edu.

Please include: 

  • A letter of application
  • A brief description of the proposed topic and work plan
  • Your latest curriculum vitae
  • Names and contact details of two references knowledgeable about your suitability for this kind of project

The application must indicate a proposed length of visit and an intended start date. We recommend you begin your visit at the start of a semester (fall or spring).