Applications are now open for the 2027 Sir William Luce Fellowship at Durham University, a prestigious visiting research opportunity for scholars and experienced professionals working on the politics, society, economy, history and security of the Middle East and adjacent regions that were central to the career of Sir William Luce.

The Fellowship is administered by the Sir William Luce Memorial Fund and hosted jointly by the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies and Trevelyan College at Durham University in the United Kingdom.

For the 2027 cycle, the Fellowship will run from:

26 April to 25 June 2027

during Durham University’s Easter term.

The programme is open to people working at postdoctoral or equivalent professional level, including:

• Postdoctoral scholars
• Academics
• Diplomats
• Politicians
• Business executives
• Other appropriately experienced researchers or practitioners

The geographic focus is specifically on areas connected with Sir William Luce’s professional career:

• The Gulf monarchies
• Yemen
• Iran
• Sudan
• South Sudan

The Fellowship is particularly interested in applicants whose research can bring fresh perspectives on political, social, economic or security issues in these countries and regions.

Successful Fellows receive substantial practical support during their stay in Durham. The Fellowship covers:

• Travel to and from Durham
• Accommodation
• All meals during the Fellowship period
• Access to Durham University facilities
• Access to research collections and libraries
• Limited additional funding to consult Sir William Luce papers held at the Gulf Studies Centre at the University of Exeter

In addition, the Fellow will receive a £1,000 honorarium after submitting the final paper for publication.

The application deadline is:

Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Applicants must submit a CV of no more than two pages, a two-to-three-page research proposal, and contact details for two referees.

Applications should preferably be sent by email to:

luce.fund@durham.ac.uk

---

About the Sir William Luce Fellowship

The Sir William Luce Fellowship is an annual research fellowship designed to support high-level research on the parts of the Middle East and surrounding region with which Sir William Luce was closely associated during his career.

The Fellowship brings a selected researcher or practitioner to Durham University during the University’s Easter term.

Its purpose is not simply to provide an individual with time away from their usual position.

Instead, the programme is designed to create a period of intensive research and intellectual engagement in which the Fellow can:

• Develop a focused research project
• Use Durham’s specialist Middle East collections
• Engage with scholars at the University
• Participate in the academic life of the Institute
• Interact with the Trevelyan College community
• Deliver a major public lecture
• Produce a final paper for publication

The Fellowship therefore combines the characteristics of:

• A visiting research fellowship
• An academic residency
• A professional exchange
• A publication opportunity

It may be particularly attractive to established or emerging experts whose work would benefit from access to archival collections and an interdisciplinary Middle East research environment.

---

Fellowship Dates for 2027

The 2027 Fellowship will take place from:

26 April to 25 June 2027

The Fellow is hosted at Durham University during the Easter term.

Applicants should therefore ensure that they are available to spend the Fellowship period in Durham and participate fully in the intellectual and collegiate life associated with the programme.

---

Research Focus of the Fellowship

The Sir William Luce Fellowship is not a general international relations fellowship covering the whole world.

Its geographic remit is relatively specific.

Research should relate to one or more of the following:

• Gulf monarchies
• Yemen
• Iran
• Sudan
• South Sudan

The Committee is particularly interested in work that provides new or original perspectives on important issues affecting these areas.

Possible dimensions include:

• Politics
• Society
• Economics
• Security

Research may be:

• Historical, or
• Contemporary

This means both historians and scholars examining current political or socio-economic developments may be suitable candidates.

---

The Gulf Monarchies

Research relating to the Gulf monarchies may potentially examine issues such as:

• Political institutions
• Governance
• State-society relations
• Economic diversification
• Energy
• Security
• Regional diplomacy
• Social transformation
• Labour
• Migration
• Foreign policy
• Gulf political economy
• Historical state formation

Applicants should, however, develop their own original question rather than treating these examples as predetermined Fellowship themes.

---

Yemen

Applicants working on Yemen may potentially contribute new perspectives concerning:

• Political conflict
• State institutions
• Regional intervention
• Society
• Humanitarian conditions
• Economic change
• Security
• Historical political development

Because the Fellowship explicitly welcomes both historical and contemporary work, proposals can vary substantially in period and methodological approach.

---

Iran

Research focused on Iran may potentially address:

• Domestic politics
• Foreign policy
• Political economy
• Security
• State-society relations
• Regional politics
• Institutional change
• Historical developments

The Fellowship does not prescribe a single theoretical or disciplinary approach.

What matters is that the proposed research falls meaningfully within the programme’s geographic and intellectual remit.

---

Sudan and South Sudan

The inclusion of both Sudan and South Sudan is particularly important because Durham University holds distinctive archival resources relevant to the region.

Research could potentially investigate:

• Political history
• State formation
• Conflict
• Peace processes
• Governance
• Security
• Political economy
• Society
• Regional relations
• Historical administration

The University’s Sudan Archive is especially relevant to researchers whose projects depend on documentary and archival materials.

---

Fresh Perspectives Are Encouraged

The Fellowship Committee states that it wants to appoint someone whose work can provide:

Fresh perspectives

on the regions covered by the Fellowship.

Applicants should therefore avoid proposing projects that simply summarize an established body of literature.

A strong proposal should ideally show:

• An original question
• New evidence
• A distinctive interpretation
• A useful comparative approach
• A new conceptual perspective
• An under-researched issue

The Fellowship is designed to create new scholarship rather than merely provide a platform for already completed work.

---

Who Can Apply?

The Fellowship is unusual because eligibility is not restricted solely to university academics.

Potential applicants include:

• Scholars at postdoctoral level
• Academics
• Diplomats
• Politicians
• Business executives

This broad eligibility reflects the Fellowship’s interest in combining scholarship with practical professional knowledge.

A diplomat with significant regional expertise, for example, may bring perspectives different from those of an academic historian.

Likewise, an experienced business executive working in the Gulf could potentially offer valuable analysis of regional economic or institutional developments.

The key requirement is that the candidate’s work must be relevant to the geographical and thematic scope of the Fellowship.

---

Is a PhD Required?

The call describes the Fellowship as available to a:

Scholar at post-doctoral level, diplomat, politician, academic or business executive.

For candidates applying through an academic route, this means the Fellowship is primarily aimed at researchers who have already reached postdoctoral level rather than current undergraduate or early-stage doctoral students.

However, the wider list of eligible professional categories demonstrates that possession of a PhD is not necessarily the only route to eligibility for experienced diplomats, politicians or business executives.

Applicants should demonstrate an appropriate level of:

• Professional expertise
• Research capacity
• Regional knowledge
• Intellectual independence

---

What Does the Fellowship Cover?

The Sir William Luce Fellowship provides substantial practical support for the successful Fellow.

Travel to and From Durham

The Fellowship covers:

The cost of travel to and from Durham.

This is particularly valuable for international applicants who may otherwise face significant travel expenses.

Applicants should consult the Fellowship organizers regarding the exact travel arrangements and reimbursement procedures if selected.

---

Accommodation

The Fellowship covers:

Accommodation for the duration of the Fellowship.

Fellows normally reside at:

Trevelyan College

during their time at Durham University.

This allows the Fellow to remain integrated into the University community rather than arranging accommodation independently.

---

Meals

The Fellowship also covers:

All meals for the duration of the Fellowship.

This significantly reduces the day-to-day cost of spending approximately two months in the United Kingdom.

---

£1,000 Honorarium

The successful Fellow will receive a:

£1,000 honorarium

However, this payment is not simply an upfront stipend.

It is paid:

On submission and receipt of the final paper for publication.

Applicants should therefore distinguish the honorarium from the Fellowship’s travel, accommodation and meal support.

The £1,000 payment is linked to the Fellow completing the required scholarly publication output.

---

Is There a Monthly Stipend?

The Fellowship announcement does not state that Fellows receive a monthly living stipend or salary.

Instead, financial support is structured primarily around:

• Travel
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Access to facilities
• Limited research travel funding
• £1,000 honorarium after submission of the final paper

It would therefore be inaccurate to advertise the opportunity as offering a large cash stipend in addition to these benefits.

---

Research Funding for the Luce Papers at Exeter University

The Sir William Luce Memorial Fund may also provide:

Limited funding

for the successful Fellow to visit the Luce papers held at the Gulf Studies Centre at the University of Exeter.

This is particularly relevant for researchers whose project would benefit from archival work connected directly to Sir William Luce or broader Gulf research.

Applicants whose proposal requires this material should explain why access to the Exeter collection would strengthen their research.

---

Access to Durham University Facilities

The Fellowship is held jointly within:

• Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies
• Trevelyan College

The Fellow receives full access to relevant University facilities.

These include:

• University Library
• Computing and Information Services
• Departmental facilities
• Specialist research collections

This institutional access is one of the central benefits of the Fellowship.

---

Access to the Sudan Archive

One of Durham University’s particularly distinctive resources is the:

Sudan Archive

Researchers whose work concerns Sudan, South Sudan or related historical issues may find this collection especially valuable.

The Fellowship Committee specifically expects Fellows to engage with the distinctive resources available at Durham.

Applicants should therefore investigate the relevant collections before writing their research proposal.

A strong proposal should demonstrate not only that Durham is an attractive university, but why the specific resources available there are necessary for the proposed research.

---

Middle East and Gulf Documentary Collections

Durham also possesses extensive documentary and library collections related to:

• Middle East
• Gulf region

These resources can support historical and contemporary research across several disciplines.

Candidates should identify collections relevant to their project whenever possible.

---

Engagement With Durham Academic Staff

Fellows are expected to engage with academic staff at Durham.

The Fellowship is not designed as a private writing retreat.

Instead, the Fellow is expected to become part of the University’s intellectual community during the residency.

Potential forms of engagement may include:

• Research discussions
• Seminars
• Informal academic exchanges
• Meetings with specialists
• Participation in Institute activities

This can provide valuable opportunities to test arguments and develop new research networks.

---

Participation in the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies

The Fellow is encouraged to participate in the full range of academic and social activities organized by the:

Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies

This is an important component of the residency.

The Fellowship therefore suits applicants who are interested in active academic exchange rather than spending the entire period working independently.

---

About the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies

Durham University’s Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies was established in:

1962

It has developed an international reputation for its broad expertise in Middle Eastern studies.

Its research and teaching interests have included substantial work concerning:

• Politics
• Economy
• Society
• International relations
• History

of the Middle East.

The Institute also has a large graduate programme with particular strengths in the politics and economy of the region.

In September 2002, the Institute moved into a purpose-built building donated by H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

For visiting Fellows, the Institute provides an academic environment specifically oriented toward the region covered by the Sir William Luce Fellowship.

---

Trevelyan College

The Fellowship is also held in association with:

Trevelyan College

Trevelyan is one of Durham University’s constituent colleges.

It is located within walking distance of:

• University libraries
• Teaching departments
• The Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies
• Several other colleges
• Durham Botanic Gardens

The College has an active:

Senior Common Room

bringing together academics and other senior members of the University community.

---

Participation in the Senior Common Room

Sir William Luce Fellows are encouraged to participate actively in the life of Trevelyan College’s Senior Common Room.

This could include activities such as:

• Informal seminars
• Lectures
• Discussions with Fellows
• Engagement with students
• College events

The expectation is that the Fellow will contribute to the intellectual life of the College rather than simply use it as accommodation.

---

College Facilities Available to the Fellow

As a member of Trevelyan College, the Fellow may access facilities including:

• Senior Common Room
• Computer facilities
• Library
• Common spaces
• Other College facilities

The Fellowship therefore provides both academic and collegiate integration.

---

The 2027 Sir William Luce Lecture

One of the major responsibilities of the Fellow is to deliver the:

2027 Sir William Luce Lecture

The lecture will be based on the research conducted during the Fellowship.

This is an important scholarly output and one of the central public components of the residency.

The lecture allows the Fellow to present:

• Research findings
• New arguments
• Emerging evidence
• Policy or historical insights

to an academic audience.

---

Publication in the Durham Middle East Papers Series

Following the Fellowship, the Fellow’s work will be published online by the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies through its:

Durham Middle East Papers series.

This gives the Fellowship a concrete publication outcome.

For researchers, this can be valuable because the residency is connected to both:

• Public presentation
• Published research output

The final paper also triggers payment of the £1,000 honorarium.

---

Previous Sir William Luce Fellows

The Fellowship has attracted prominent scholars, diplomats and regional specialists.

Recent Fellows have included:

• Mark Katz
• Edward Thomas
• Helen Lackner
• Richard Barltrop
• Ambassador John W. Limbert
• Dr Altea Pericoli
• Professor Simon Smith

The backgrounds of previous Fellows illustrate the programme’s combination of:

• Academic expertise
• Diplomatic experience
• Regional specialization
• Policy knowledge

---

Application Requirements

The 2027 application is relatively focused.

Candidates must submit three main components:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Research proposal
3. Contact details for two referees

---

1. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants need to submit a:

CV of no more than two pages.

The page limit is important.

Candidates should prioritize information directly relevant to the Fellowship.

Depending on their professional background, this may include:

• Academic qualifications
• Current position
• Research experience
• Publications
• Regional expertise
• Diplomatic experience
• Professional appointments
• Policy work
• Relevant business experience
• Languages
• Major awards

Applicants should avoid filling the limited space with information unrelated to the Fellowship.

---

2. Research Proposal

Applicants must submit a:

Two-to-three-page outline of their proposed research.

The proposal should establish what the Fellow intends to investigate during the residency.

A strong proposal should ideally explain:

• Research question
• Geographic focus
• Background
• Why the issue matters
• Original contribution
• Method or analytical approach
• Durham resources to be used
• Expected output
• Why the work is suitable for the Sir William Luce Fellowship

Because the residency is relatively short, the project should also be realistic.

---

Using Durham Collections in the Research Proposal

Applicants should pay particular attention to the Fellowship’s explicit expectation that Fellows engage with Durham’s distinctive resources.

A strong application could identify materials from:

• Sudan Archive
• Middle East collections
• Gulf collections
• Documentary holdings
• University Library

where relevant.

If the Luce papers at Exeter University are important, applicants may also explain this.

A proposal demonstrating specific archival preparation is likely to be more convincing than one merely stating that Durham has “excellent resources.”

---

3. Two Referees

Applicants must provide:

Contact details for two referees.

The announcement asks for referee contact details rather than stating that reference letters must necessarily accompany the initial application.

Candidates should choose referees who can credibly comment on their:

• Research ability
• Professional expertise
• Regional knowledge
• Academic or policy contribution

---

How to Apply

Applicants are asked to submit their materials, preferably by email, to:

luce.fund@durham.ac.uk

Applications are addressed to:

The Honorary Secretary
Sir William Luce Memorial Fund
School of Government and International Affairs
Durham University
United Kingdom
DH1 3TU

---

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Candidates should prepare their proposal well before the deadline, particularly if they plan to identify specific Durham archival materials relevant to their research.

---

Does the Committee Have to Make an Award?

No.

The Committee administering the Sir William Luce Memorial Fund:

Reserves the right not to appoint a Fellow.

This means the Fellowship is competitive and an appointment is not guaranteed merely because eligible applications are received.

The Committee may decide not to make an award if applications do not meet the expected standard.

---

Preparing a Competitive Application

1. Make the Geographic Fit Obvious

Your research must clearly concern one or more of:

• Gulf monarchies
• Yemen
• Iran
• Sudan
• South Sudan

Do not make reviewers search for the regional connection.

State it clearly from the beginning.

---

2. Develop a Fresh Perspective

The Committee specifically seeks new perspectives.

Explain what your project contributes that existing work has not adequately addressed.

This could involve:

• New evidence
• New archives
• Comparative analysis
• Practitioner insight
• Historical reassessment
• New conceptual framework

---

3. Explain Why Durham Matters

This is especially important.

Do not write a proposal that could be conducted equally well anywhere.

Identify the value of:

• Sudan Archive
• Gulf materials
• Middle East documentary holdings
• Durham academic expertise
• Luce papers at Exeter

where relevant.

---

4. Keep the Project Feasible

The Fellowship lasts approximately two months.

Do not propose several years of new empirical research.

Instead, design a project that can make substantial progress during the period from late April to late June 2027.

---

5. Show What You Will Contribute to Durham

The Fellowship is reciprocal.

Durham provides:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Travel
• Research facilities
• Academic community

The Fellow is expected to contribute through:

• Intellectual exchange
• Seminar participation
• College life
• The Sir William Luce Lecture
• Publication

Your application should show that you are ready to participate actively.

---

6. Think About the Final Paper From the Beginning

Because the Fellowship culminates in a published Durham Middle East Paper, the project should be capable of generating a clear written output.

The proposal should therefore contain a coherent question that can lead to a substantive paper.

---

Important Details at a Glance

Host university: Durham University

Host units: Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies and Trevelyan College

Programme: Sir William Luce Fellowship

Year: 2027

Dates: 26 April–25 June 2027

Location: Durham, United Kingdom

Research regions: Gulf monarchies, Yemen, Iran, Sudan and South Sudan

Research perspectives: Political, social, economic, security, historical or contemporary

Eligible professional profiles: Postdoctoral scholars, diplomats, politicians, academics and business executives

Travel: Covered to and from Durham

Accommodation: Covered

Meals: Covered

University facilities: Full access

Additional research support: Limited funding to consult Luce papers at Exeter University

Final output: Sir William Luce Lecture and published Durham Middle East Paper

Honorarium: £1,000 following submission and receipt of the final paper

CV: Maximum two pages

Proposal: Two to three pages

Referees: Contact details for two

Deadline: Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Application email: luce.fund@durham.ac.uk

Official information:
https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/school-government-international-affairs/research/fellowships/william-luce-fellowship/

---

Conclusion

The 2027 Sir William Luce Fellowship at Durham University offers a distinctive research opportunity for postdoctoral scholars and experienced professionals working on the Gulf monarchies, Yemen, Iran, Sudan or South Sudan.

Hosted jointly by Durham University’s Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies and Trevelyan College, the Fellowship will run from 26 April to 25 June 2027 and is designed to encourage original research and fresh perspectives on the political, social, economic, security and historical dimensions of these regions.

The Fellowship provides significant practical support. The successful Fellow will receive travel to and from Durham, accommodation and all meals throughout the residency, together with access to University libraries, computing services, specialist Middle East holdings and the Sudan Archive. Limited funding may also be available to consult Sir William Luce papers at the Gulf Studies Centre at the University of Exeter.

Fellows are expected to engage actively with academics at Durham and participate in the intellectual and social life of Trevelyan College and the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies.

The selected researcher will also deliver the 2027 Sir William Luce Lecture based on work undertaken during the Fellowship. The resulting paper will subsequently be published online through the Institute’s Durham Middle East Papers series.

A £1,000 honorarium is paid after submission and receipt of the final paper for publication.

Applicants must provide a CV of no more than two pages, a two-to-three-page research proposal and contact details for two referees.

The application deadline is Wednesday, 7 October 2026.

Applications: luce.fund@durham.ac.uk

To know more about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.

To discover more global fellowships, CLICK HERE.