CTSG Visiting Research Fellow Scheme 25-26

The International Visiting Research Fellowship scheme within the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender offers researchers the opportunity to join a vibrant academic community at the University of Brighton. The programme aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and interdisciplinary research. International Visiting Research Fellows (IVRFs) will engage with research, contribute to the academic culture, and build lasting professional networks.

 

The Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender (CTSG)

The CTSG brings together researchers from across the university who work on themes related to sexuality, gender, and social change with a core focus on producing research with community partners that impacts on policy and practice.

The CTSG has longstanding strengths in interdisciplinary research relevant to LGBTQIA+ lives and communities, sexualities related to care and wellbeing, and gendered inequalities. Many of our researchers have a shared commitment to feminist, queer theoretical approaches, using a variety of methodologies, and many have expertise in not only what we might think of as traditional research methods but also participatory, visual and creative methods. The CTSG has a growing international profile, and we have keen ambitions to expand this.

 

The Opportunity

The International Visiting Research Fellowship (IVRF) scheme aims to:

  • Provide an international external researcher with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the CTSG’s research and research culture.
  • Offer a platform for developing collaborative work with CTSG staff.
  • Foster international networks within the CTSG’s fields of study.
  • Develop a stimulating intellectual environment for advancing collaborative projects, publications and funding applications.
  • Allow IVRFs to deliver a seminar or workshop on their research during their visit, giving researchers a platform to present their current and emerging work. There may also be opportunities for guest lectures.

IVRFs will have access to various University of Brighton facilities, including libraries, computer labs, and specialist software as required. They will be issued a University of Brighton campus access card and email address, and will have opportunities to attend open seminars, workshops, and lectures.

The CTSG encourages researchers with expertise related to the main research areas of the CTSG (LGBTQ+ lives and communities; sexualities, care and wellbeing; gendered inequalities) but also welcomes researchers whose expertise is beyond this scope. Applications which feature opportunities for multiple CTSG members to engage in collaborative projects that span multiple research areas are particularly welcome.

 

The Funding

The CTSG provides a financial contribution towards supporting travel, accommodation, and research-related expenses for the IVRF. It is not intended to full cover all costs.

The maximum amount of funding available is £2,000.

We can also offer an additional 15% funding increase for Global South scholars, bringing available funding up to £2,300.

No salary or stipend is included in the fellowship, so please ensure you have enough funds to cover any expenses outside of this fellowship that may be associated with your visit – this includes living costs such as food and travel for the duration of your stay.

The fellowship covers the usual University’s administrative fee (£200) as part of the funding package. Fellows are typically expected to stay for a period ranging from 2-8 weeks, although longer visits can be arranged depending on the fellowship terms. We would prefer fellows to be able to visit anytime between February 2026 and July 2026.

 

How To Apply

Potential applicants are invited to submit a detailed two-page proposal that addresses the following criteria:

  • Their proposed contribution to the CTSG’s research and research culture.
  • The alignment between their research project and CTSG’s main research themes.
  • The collaborative activities and outcomes expected during the fellowship (we are looking for fellows that can contribute to our goals including as examples, generating new external funding applications, developing peer reviewed journal articles, developing new international consortia, creating research impact in both established and emerging fields).

Proposals should include:

  • A comprehensive outline of the research/project/activity(ies) to be conducted.
  • A detailed indication of how the expenses are anticipated to be used (these will be subject to University regulations and approval).
  • The duration and format of the planned fellowship.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Liam Wignall <L.Wignall@brighton.ac.uk>, international lead for the CTSG, to discuss their proposal and ensure it aligns with the Centre’s objectives.

The proposal should be submitted by 7th February 2026.

Successful candidates will then complete an application form in collaboration with their agreed academic sponsor. All International Visiting Research Fellowship applications are approved by the University’s central Research and Knowledge Exchange team.

 

Please submit your proposal to ctsg@brighton.ac.uk by 7th February 2026.