1881 East-West Road + Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822

Visiting Scholars

The Center for Korean Studies furthers its mission as an academic and research institution by providing office space and administrative assistance to visiting scholars. Each year, scholars from universities and other institutions throughout the world visit the Center for periods ranging from three to twelve months.

These visitors, including students, scholars, and government officials, representing every discipline of Korean studies, are drawn to the Center for access to research facilities. The visitors, in turn, provide a valuable resource for the Center's faculty, students, and the Hawai‘i community as a whole.

Application Procedures for Visiting Scholars

The Center welcomes applications from scholars and community members seeking to do research on Korea-related topics using research materials/academic exchange typically not available at the scholar’s or community member’s home institution.

The Center makes its facilities available to visiting scholars/associates by providing shared office space and ensuring that researchers have access to the collections of the University of Hawai‘i’s Hamilton Library. The Center does not provide financial assistance for visiting scholars/associates.

Our experience has shown that visiting scholars/researchers who come to Hawai‘i to work with one of our faculty in a Korea-related field of study have more success in their research and have a more pleasant stay overall than those who arrive with no prearranged contacts. Prospective visitors should identify in their applications at least one CKS-affiliated faculty member with whom they plan to work. Click here for a list of our faculty members and their fields of study.

Visiting scholars/associates are expected to contribute to the Center's activities during their residence by giving a lecture or presentation at the Center or to classes taught by the Center's faculty. In addition, they are expected to participate actively in the Center's programs and activities.

Researchers interested in applying to the Visiting Scholar Program should address application materials to:
Director, Center for Korean Studies
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
1881 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822

All application materials must be submitted in English. A cover letter should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Completed Visitor Information Form. [Download here]
2. A curriculum vitae or professional resumé (with the applicant’s date and place of birth and a complete list of publications).
3. A detailed proposal (no more than 3–5 pages) outlining the research that will be undertaken while in residence at the Center. The proposal should include a statement of the objectives of the research, a description of the methodology, and a bibliography. Specifically, it should also include a description of the relevant academic and scholarly value of the proposal, a realistic plan of how the project will be carried out, justification for research at the University of Hawai‘i–Center for Korean Studies, and the name of a CKS faculty member with whom the applicant proposes to work.
4. A brief description of a lecture or other presentation the applicant proposes to deliver or indication of other ways in which he or she plans to contribute to Center programs while in residence.
5. Two letters of recommendation from scholars with expertise in the area of the applicant’s intended research.
6. A certified statement of financial support from the applicant’s place of employment or financial institution. The statement must show support of a minimum US$2,000 per month for each month of residence and an additional $350 per month for each accompanying family member.

The application deadline for visiting scholars desiring to enter the program in the fall 2012 semester is Friday, March 2, 2012.

The application deadline for entry in the spring/summer 2013 semester is Friday, September 7, 2012.

Please note: If selected as a visiting scholar, travel outside of Hawai‘i is allowed for academic and personal matters; however, the Center will allow travel outside Hawai‘i for no more than two months with the necessary approvals from the Center director and the appropriate University office. The Center does not have a visiting scholar fee, but to help defray the high costs of operating the Center, we welcome donations from visiting scholars.

Questions related to visiting scholar/associate application procedures may be addressed to Brandie Chun, Program Coordinator, Center for Korean Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 1881 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, tel: (808) 956-2212, fax: (808) 956-2213, e-mail: brandiec@hawaii.edu.