Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies

Beginning with the 2009-2010 single cohort, the program primarily targets untenured Assistant Professors within two years of their appointment as Assistant Professor at UBC. In addition, Associate Professors within two years of tenure and promotion at UBC are also eligible to apply.

Please note that individuals may hold an Early Career Scholar award only once.

Beginning with the 2010-2011 cohort, each participant will receive an infrastructure budget of $10,000 that can be used for a wide range of research-related expenses (course buyouts, travel, books, research assistance, etc.) or taken, all or in part, directly as a salary stipend.

The appointment is for twelve months, beginning in September. The actual program of activities runs September to May.

The program requires the participants to come together on a regular basis throughout the fall and winter terms. Scholars are required to attend one weekend retreat at the beginning of the academic year and monthly program meetings. The monthly meetings are typically three-hour late afternoon-evening sessions intended to explore linkages among the distinct research approaches and discuss the research environment at UBC, among other matters. Typically in April, the scholars will tour each other’s research facilities, which is a fascinating exercise.

Appointees are expected to attend all program meetings, the dates of which are set by the group, so if one anticipates being away for an extended amount of time during September to May, it would be best to apply for a different year. Please discuss with the Director of the Institute if you are uncertain about this.

The objective for this program is to bring outstanding UBC early-career researchers together to share ideas and research approaches. We hope that this interaction will broaden the research perspective of participants and will enhance their future research contributions. We are also interested in facilitating the orientation process for new faculty with respect to the research environment at UBC, including learning about the diversity in research topics and approaches, as well as helping them to acquire knowledge about the infrastructure for research support.
The program benefits the participants in various ways including:
    •    exposing scholars to research from across the entire University,
    •    allowing scholars to interact with excellent peers across a wide variety of disciplines,
    •    providing opportunities to scholars to get a sense of the important work of top researchers throughout the University (e.g., the Institute Faculty Associates),
    •    exploring the connections of one's own research with research that one would not ordinarily encounter,
    •    learning about the research infrastructure at UBC, and
    •    providing special recognition and a modest stipend to support research.
The presence of Early Career Scholars at the Institute contributes greatly to its mission of promoting basic, interdisciplinary research. Program participants will be appointed as permanent Faculty Associates of the Institute. Associates receive regular invitations to Institute events. Every two weeks there is a lunch or dinner to which all Associates and their guests are invited. These bi-monthly gatherings offer an opportunity to engage in informal discussions with colleagues from a wide diversity of disciplines as well as to hear a talk by one of the Associates. Unlike the scheduled program meetings, attendance at events and Associates gatherings is optional.

There is no formal application form. Applications must include a cover letter, which is the formal application, and a standard UBC Curriculum Vitae for Faculty Members. In addition, applicants are responsible for arranging for three letters of reference from external (to UBC) scholars. Only the referees’ names and contact information should be included in the application; referees should send their letters directly to the Institute by e-mail or fax (604.822.4222) by the competition deadline.

The applicant cover letters should provide detail about the interest in, and fit with, the Institute and this program. The UBC Curriculum Vitae for Faculty Members Word template is available on the Faculty Relations web site. Applicants must provide one copy of the signed cover letter and the CV in addition to electronic versions in PDF format. The electronic versions can be sent as e-mail attachments or on a disc with the original application.

The criteria for selection include:
    •    research accomplishments and potential,
    •    fit with the mandate of the Institute (i.e., an orientation to fundamental, interdisciplinary research), and
    •    perceived ability to contribute to, and benefit from, the opportunities provided by the program.