Visiting Scholars Program

Purpose

Melbourne Law School seeks to have a vibrant Visiting Scholars program. The program provides an opportunity for academics to exchange research and ideas and can lead to rewarding partnerships between academics and institutions.

The preferred length of a visit is up to 3 months. Longer visits will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

The Melbourne Law School Visiting Scholar Program hosts scholars from Australia and overseas to undertake research, establish and maintain good collaborative working relationships and participate in and enrich the research intensive and vibrant academic and student life of the Law School.

Where possible, visiting scholars are provided with a workspace and library access. They are expected to participate in the academic and student life of the Law School, for example a lunch time seminar for students on their research or area of expertise or a public lecture. Visiting scholars are not able to attend Law School classes unless they are formally enrolled.

Please note: this program is not applicable to PhD or MPhil researchers.

Read here for our Study Abroad/Exchange Research program for graduate researchers

Application process

Visiting Scholar applications can be submitted at any time, however they will only be considered twice a year in March and October for visits between July 2024 – mid December 2024 and for visits between February 2025 - June 2025.  Applicants will be informed whether their application has been accepted within a month of the application being reviewed.

Visits will be preferred during semester periods February-June (Semester 1) and July-November (Semester 2). Visits during the end of year period in late December/early January will not be accepted.

Once an applicant has confirmed an MLS academic staff member is available to host for the duration of the proposed visit:

• the MLS academic staff member will submit an online request to host a visitor, then
• a link to the online application form will be made available to the visiting scholar for completion.

International visitors

International visitors will require a visa.

For visits of up to 3 months, it is the visiting scholar's responsibility to obtain an appropriate visa that allows them to undertake all the activities they plan to do while in Australia. Depending on the type of visa, processing times can take up to several months so it is important to lodge a Visiting Scholar application early.

Visits longer than 3 months, the visa application process will be managed through Visa Lawyers Australia (VLA). VLA will advise on the appropriate visa type. All visa application charges and VLA fees, are to be paid by the applicant unless there are compelling reasons, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

MLS academic host

If you are looking to invite and host a Visiting Scholar, please review the guidelines and expectations for hosting a Visiting Scholar at Melbourne Law School here. (staff login required). Complete and submit the online host form.

Further information

For further information, please email law-visitingscholar@unimelb.edu.au.