Social Science and Journalism Visiting Scholar

The Institute for Social Research offers a visiting scholar opportunity for early-to-mid career academics with an interest in journalism taking a sabbatical to pursue their research. The selected scholar will visit ISR during the 2026-2027 academic year.

The visiting scholar will be embedded in ISRs research community and will have structured scholarly engagement with the Wallace House Center for Journalists. This scholar will collaborate with the James S. House and Wendy Fisher House Social Science Fellow an accomplished journalist with a deep interest in social science research.

In order to take advantage of the resources at ISR and the Wallace House a portion of the visitors time must be spent at ISR although the specific arrangement is negotiable.

Award

As this opportunity is intended for a researcher on sabbatical salary support is available subject to negotiation with the visiting scholar. A set amount of funding is also available for research-related expenses and travel.

Visiting scholars will receive the following benefits:

• Interactions with the staff at ISR as well as participation in all ISR activities as well as assignment to a specific mentor.

• Workspace in one of the Centers at ISR

• Computer and University of Michigan email account

• Campus resources including library privileges

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by Friday May 15 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Applicants will be notified of decisions via email in June.

Social science faculty members and researchers with an interest in journalism are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to early mid-career social scientists (e.g. up to 5-6 years post tenure) on sabbatical from their home institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year. The scholar should have interests in one or more of the major research areas of ISR and in engaging in an interdisciplinary program between ISR and Wallace House Center for Journalists.