Virtual International Visitors
Inspired by the longstanding Roberta Buffett Visiting Professorship of International Studies program, Northwestern Buffett supports faculty across the university who wish to host international visitors from around the world — international university faculty members as well as leaders from global civil society, government and/or the private sector — for short virtual residencies. Visits with in-person components will also be considered.
We are no longer accepting proposals for the 2022–23 academic year. Please check back for virtual international visitorship funding opportunities at the start of the 2023–24 academic year.
Goals
These visits will afford the Northwestern community opportunities to interact with and learn from thought leaders across geographies and strengthen relationships with current or prospective international collaborators.
Activities
Each Northwestern Buffett Virtual Visitor will be “in residence” for a condensed 2–3 day period, during which they will give a virtual public lecture and engage in some or all of the following activities virtually:
- Guest lecture in one or more classes
- Offer a manuscript or professionalization workshop to graduate students
- Speak with an undergraduate student group(s)
- Present a work in progress to their host department
- Meet individually with Northwestern faculty
Faculty hosts will be asked to provide a short evaluation of the visitorship upon completion.
Grant Proposal Criteria & Details
- Faculty from all schools and units may submit applications for support to receive a virtual visitor. In the application, the Northwestern faculty member should articulate how they will take the lead on hosting their proposed visitors, should they be selected.
- A Northwestern Buffett Virtual Visitor should be:
- Non-U.S. based (though visitors from U.S. territories and Indigenous communities are welcome)
- A current leader in their field, e.g. a faculty member, activist, current or former government official, business or NGO leader, etc.
- Invested in and capable of speaking both to specialists and to a wider public audience
- A small committee composed of members of Northwestern Buffett’s Global and Faculty Advisory Councils will review applications, seeking an equitable representation of visitors from across the globe, various fields and professionals, and diverse backgrounds. The committee will provide recommendations to Northwestern Buffett’s Executive Director Annelise Riles, who approves requests.
Application Details
We are no longer accepting proposals for the 2022–23 academic year. Please check back for virtual international visitorship funding opportunities at the start of the 2023–24 academic year.
Applicants must submit the following information through this application form. You may review a PDF of the full application before applying.
- Name, institution and profile of the nominee
- Resume/CV or links to a LinkedIn profile/professional website of the nominee.
- Description of the nominee’s suitability and potential contribution as a Northwestern Buffett Virtual Visitor, including:
- How their accomplishments and activities will benefit the Northwestern University community
- Proposed activities for the prospective Northwestern Buffett Virtual Visitor
Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Northwestern Buffett will notify applicants of award decisions within three weeks of their application submission date.
Please email Samantha.Nissen@Northwestern.edu if you need assistance with this application or are seeking an expedited review.