Program description
The Institute of Asian Research (IAR), which is situated in the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA), is pleased to announce the IAR Fellows program. This program brings together UBC graduate students with an interest in advancing research that addresses a broad range of issues — particularly those with relevance to policy or global affairs — and is based on engagement with and deep knowledge of Asia.
The IAR is home to five interdisciplinary, regionally-focused research Centres: the Centre for Chinese Research; the Centre for India and South Asia Research; the Centre for Japanese Research; the Centre for Korean Research; and the Centre for Southeast Asia Research. In addition, there are smaller programs that focus on other parts of Asia, including Central Asia and Inner-Asia. Each IAR Fellow will be affiliated with one of these Centres or programs. The IAR and its Centres are intended to operate as forums for collaborative work and joint exploration of issues relevant to Asia and its diaspora, rather than only as workspaces for completing individual projects in isolation.
The 2024/2025 IAR Fellows cycle will run from September 16, 2024 to June 30, 2025. During this time, IAR Fellows will benefit from a research stipend, desk space, supportive engagement both with other fellows and faculty members, and immersion in the intellectually stimulating IAR/SPPGA community. They will also have unique opportunities to showcase their research amongst both academics and relevant community stakeholders. The program welcomes applications from all disciplines across the social sciences, applied sciences, professional schools, and humanities.
In the Academic Year 2023/24, 34 IAR Fellows were chosen from a cohort of qualified candidates representing seventeen departments on campus, including Political Science, SPPGA, Forestry, Theatre & Film, GRSJ, Economics, Mining, and History.
Eligibility:
Graduate students (MA and PhD) enrolled at UBC for the 2024/25 academic year are eligible to apply. Applications from students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program are especially encouraged. Advanced undergraduates will be considered in exceptional cases if they are actively conducting research as part of their degree program. UBC post-docs interested in engaging with the IAR should contact us for separate opportunities.
IAR Fellows Benefits:
- Desk space in one of the IAR regional centres (with usage subject to each Centre’s policy and desk availability)
- $500 research stipend per Fellow
- Possibility of applying for additional research funds to support collaborative projects between Fellows
- Opportunities to receive mentorship from faculty associated with the IAR centres, as well as collaboration and mutual learning with other Fellows
- Opportunities to collaborate in organizing scholarly and professional events
- Extensive networking with scholars and professionals in the field, especially in the scope of IAR events
- Opportunities to participate in professional development workshops and academic seminar designed specifically for IAR Fellows.
- As the IAR is situated in the SPPGA, Fellows are invited to produce a short policy-oriented memo/paper based on their research. If the Fellow is successful in publishing the piece in a designated outlet (including, for example, The East Asia Forum, The Diplomat, iAffairs Canada), the Fellow is entitled to an additional $500 award. Deadline for publication is June 30, 2025.
Program Expectations:
Active engagement with the IAR and other IAR fellows. This includes the following:
- Participating in and contributing to IAR brown-bag. This could include a presentation of ongoing research, a guided discussion on key regional developments, or inviting guest speakers. Brown-bag series can also be used as an opportunity for IAR Fellows to explore a range of questions and discussions related to their research interests. This could mean that Fellows could design their brown-bag by posing a set of questions for discussion with other members of the Centre(s).
- Regular participation in IAR and Centre events
- A brief one-page report due in May 2025 that outlines the Fellow’s activities during their term.
Application:
- Please complete the Application Form here. The receipt of your application will be confirmed by an acknowledgement email from iar.sppga@ubc.ca.
Deadline: September 6, 2024. Applications may be accepted later if slots remain available.
Applicants will be informed of their result during the third week of the 2024/25 Academic Year.
Read more about last years’ IAR Fellows here.
