Visitors' Programme

The Visitors' Programme

Academic visitors are an important part of the Centre's activities and we make a considerable effort to integrate our visitors into the intellectual and social life of both the Centre and the University. 

All visitors are entitled to make full use of the University's research facilities and libraries, in addition to attending seminars, lectures and other academic gatherings.  We encourage them to make contact with others in their field, both in Oxford and in the wider academic community. We regard our visitors as full members of the Centre’s vibrant community and they are invited to join in our weekly seminar programme.  In return, we expect our visitors

• to have a clear research project to pursue while at the Centre;
• to participate in seminars and workshops at the Centre and to give presentations where appropriate;
• to be fully proficient in the use of written and spoken English at an academic level so that they will be able to derive full benefit from the Programme.

The Centre currently has three routes for visitors to join, which are detailed below.

Note on Application Deadlines

Applications are considered by the Centre once per term, in November, March and July. You can send your application in at any time during the year, however, please apply at least two terms ahead of your intended visit. Early applications are encouraged as we cannot guarantee places will be available. All applications will be acknowledged, and then considered at the next termly deadline.

Our application deadlines are by midday UK time on the following dates:

• Friday 14 November 2025
• Friday 13 March 2026
• Friday 10 July 2026

​(a) Academic Visitors Programme

This is geared towards visitors who hold academic posts in another university or research institute.

The Academic Visitors Programme is extremely popular, and as such is heavily oversubscribed. Visits are limited to two terms, or six months. Visitors are encouraged to come during term time to ensure they can participate in the events and activities of the Centre.  Visitors are welcome to request an extension to their stay once they are at the Centre, but it cannot always be granted.

We ask our Academic Visitors to make a contribution towards the running costs of the Centre of £450 per month. This charge entitles the visitor to the use of a shared office (three people) or the use of a desk and computer in one of our open plan areas. Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in many of the activities and events at the Centre, as well as across the University. Visitors will be given a university card that will allow access to the University’s research facilities and libraries. Our experience is that visitors are usually able to include these costs in their own research funding.

​(b) University Recognised Student Visitor Programme

Graduate students who are already engaged in socio-legal research may apply for the University’s Recognised Student Visitor status. Each University Recognised Student Visitor will be allocated an academic advisor who can offer general guidance on their area of research.  Advisors make themselves available to see recognised student visitors two or three times each term to discuss their work as a colleague would. Applicants may suggest a member of the academic staff whose area of interest would make them suitable for this role. 

Recognised Student Visitors are able to progress their research and to gain experience by consulting with our established staff, post-doctoral fellows and students in informal discussions. They also benefit from taking part in Centre and Faculty seminars, meeting visiting speakers and joining in with social events.

The Centre expects each applicant for this status:

• to have a well-developed research project in the broad field of socio-legal studies;
• to provide a clear statement of how her or his work at the Centre would benefit that project.

Recognised Students pay a fee to the Centre; details of the fees are available on the Graduate Admissions website. All Recognised Students are allocated a desk and computer in the open plan area of the Centre.  They are entitled to use the University libraries, attend lectures, and study or conduct research in any University department (subject to the agreement of the head of that department).

Please note, recognised student visiting dates must coincide with the University of Oxford term dates.

(c) Visiting Students

We also accept a small number of doctoral students from other universities or research institutes who can demonstrate a substantial benefit from spending time at the Centre but have no sources of funding to pay fees and who have made arrangements to collaborate with a member of the Centre. Competition for these places is high, and we can accept only a small number of applicants each year. We expect Visiting Students:

• to have a well-developed research project in the broad field of socio-legal studies;
• ​to provide a clear statement of how they will collaborate with a Centre member and serve as a research assistant for up to six hours per week;
• to be able to demonstrate considerable need.

For enquiries please contact admin@csls.ox.ac.uk. Except for visiting students, applicants should avoid contacting individual CSLS staff members.

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We occasionally welcome practitioners in residence.  These are visitors from outside of academia (such as civil society, government, industry or other policy institutions) who can demonstrate a substantial benefit from spending time at the Centre and will be able to contribute to the academic life of the CSLS community.  Applicants are asked to come to the centre with a clear programme of research in the broad field of socio-legal studies and to have clearly defined planned publication(s) or output.  We expect such publications will be available as journal articles, books, white papers or policy papers in the public interest.  We would welcome a brief description as to how the visitor will work with Centre members, including on possible impact activities.  They should apply as an academic visitor. 

CSLS especially welcomes applications from scholars at risk. We recognize that socio-legal scholars are often subjected to threats, persecution, or loss of academic employment.  They may also be working in environments hostile to freedom of expression.  The University of Oxford is recognized as a “University of Sanctuary” and has programmes in place to support students and academics who have been forcibly displaced.