Criminal Law and Criminology
Visiting scholars criminal law and criminology
The Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology is committed to international cooperation and exchange.
What we expect from visiting scholars
Visiting scholars are expected to participate actively in the intellectual life of the Institute. Depending on the length and nature of their visit, we would expect visiting scholars to give at least one lecture or seminar whilst they are here to present their work, or to contribute to teaching our graduate students and PhDs. Other possible ways to contribute to our academic life would be by organizing a reciprocal visit to their own institutions by members of our Institute or by undertaking a program of work that is directly relevant to the research interests of fellows of the Institute.
We encourage applications of visiting scholars whose research interests and activities are in line with our research program Criminal Justice: Legitimacy, Accountability, and Effectivity. This dynamic, multidisciplinary research program aims to bring together researchers from fields such as criminal law, criminology, law and economics, psychology and law, and the sociology of law.
Admission criteria
We welcome applications of visiting scholars by PhD candidates, (postdoc) researchers and academic staff (professors, associate professors, assistant professors, or equivalents of these ranks). Visitors must have a strong research profile as measured against their career stage. Their work must be of high quality, as indicated by their past academic experience and performance. Applications are most likely to be successful when visitors currently cooperate or have cooperated in the past with one of the staff members of our Institute and a research stay in Leiden aims to further advance this cooperation. Applications for a research stay in Leiden to develop a new joint project with one of our colleagues are also welcomed.
The Institute is not in a position to offer financial assistance to visiting scholars. The visitor has full responsibility for their funding during their stay in Leiden.
Visitors must be proficient in spoken and written English. If English is not their first language, visitors are requested to provide proof of their proficiency.
Applications for visiting scholars
Applications will be considered in two rounds per year. The deadline for the first selection is April 1; the second is August 1.
Applications for visiting scholar status must be in English, and should be addressed to the Institute’s Head Secretariat, Mrs. S.J.J. Mattheus. They must include:
- A motivation/cover letter containing the planned dates of the visit and motivation for applying to our Institute;
- A research proposal or work program (no longer than 3 pages), comprised of a short description of activities and goals to be pursued during the stay at our Institute;
- A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications;
- A letter of recommendation from one of the staff members of our Institute, which shows that a research stay is of added value for both parties;
What we offer visiting scholars
The Institute of Criminal Law & Criminology offers a stimulating working environment, in a leading criminal justice research group. Amongst the benefits of being a visiting scholar at our Institute are:
- Use of the library facilities of Leiden University, most importantly the Law Library. The Leiden University libraries collectively own more than 5,2 million books, more than 44,000 e-journals, more than 1 million e-books and hundreds of databases and other electronic resources. Visiting scholars will get full access to the library and digital library services, including borrowing services.
- Office space at the Institute whenever possible, depending on availability;
- Attending lectures and seminars run by the Law School, as appropriate;
- Invitations to events sponsored by the Law School.
If necessary, the Law School’s Service Centre International Staff will contact accepted prospective visiting scholars for assistance with immigration procedures, financial matters and insurance.
The visiting scholar is responsible for finding accommodation in the Netherlands. Visitors can apply for housing through the university’s Housing Office or can look for a place to live in the private sector.