Program Overview

Each year, the Sigur Center for Asian Studies hosts Visiting Scholars from around the world who are selected on a highly competitive basis to conduct research related to Asia.

The Sigur Center provides in-person, shared use of a dedicated research suite for scholars; access to a research network, VPN, and computer; borrowing privileges from the Washington Research Library Consortium and access to GW’s libraries; limited telephone, fax, printing, and photocopying privileges; uniquely GW research support through the National Security Archives and the Global Resources Center; an opportunity to interact with other scholars focusing on Asia; and much more. The Sigur Center’s advantageous location in downtown Washington, DC also allows scholars the added benefit of ready access to many think tanks, U.S. and foreign government offices, universities in the metropolitan area, and other excellent resources to facilitate interviews and research with primary sources.

Visiting Scholars are expected to play an active role in the intellectual life of the Sigur Center and the Elliott School for International Affairs. As such, Visiting Scholars at the Sigur Center should anticipate participating in activities such as – but not limited to – attending Sigur Center events and providing guest lectures in GW courses related to their research topic. Visiting and Non-Resident Scholars must also present their research in an oral presentation or written report to the Sigur Center by the end of their term as their required intellectual contribution.

Visiting Scholars are usually doctoral candidates, faculty members at universities, analysts at research institutions, or mid-career government officials. The Sigur Center also hosts a number of scholars whose visas and funding are sponsored by external organizations, such as the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program and the Chinese Scholarship Council fellowship. Our current scholars and recent alumni represent a wide range of disciplines and hail from Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam, and more.