About the Program
The McCausland Visiting Scholars Program supports visits of scholars and researchers with a focus on scholars whose specific research and teaching expertise can augment current research, undergraduate and graduate training, and course offerings in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Visiting Scholars are to be invited for the 2023-2024 academic year. Applications may be for a single visiting scholar or multiple visiting scholars who visit as a single cohort. Individuals should be high-profile, award-winning, impactful researchers who are willing to contribute to the intellectual community on campus in meaningful ways. Visiting scholars are expected to interact with multiple faculty, guest lecture at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and give public seminars. Collaborative submissions across units are encouraged.
The program provides compensation up to $20,000 per appointment plus up to $7,500 in reimbursements for housing, travel or supplies. The minimum appointment period for scholars is one week, compensation to be pro-rated based on qualifications and term of appointment. Funds may be used to support one scholar or multiple scholars but are not to exceed the maximum amounts stated above. Generally, compensation should not exceed the estimated pro-rated salary for a visiting scholar’s field. Exceptions may be granted for exceptional scholars.
Under no circumstances should an invitation be extended prior to final written approval from the dean’s office. Applicable state and federal taxes will be deducted from overall compensation. Reimbursement for travel and housing may also be subject to taxation. In most cases, insurance and benefits coverage are the scholar’s responsibility. Please note, the University operates on a payroll lag of at least one month after the appointment begins.
Information for Faculty
Visiting scholars should hold a Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree and should be established scholars with distinguished records of accomplishment in research, teaching, or creative and performing arts. Visiting scholars are not permanent or full-time employees of the university. An invitation or appointment as a visiting scholar does not constitute an offer of permanent employment.
Visiting Scholars:
- The visiting scholars will be expected to catalyze the teaching, research and creative activities of CAS faculty and students by engaging fully in scholarly activities and training and by sharing their expertise in undergraduate and graduate courses, public seminars, and other creative and scholarly pursuits.
- The visiting scholars may hold temporary affiliate appointments in CAS, subject to University policies and procedures.
Host Departments:
- The nominating unit(s) will provide office space for the visiting scholar.
- The nominating unit(s) will designate a faculty member to serve as sponsor and academic liaison during the length of the visiting scholar's stay.
- The nominating unit(s) will also designate a staff member to facilitate on-campus activities for the visiting scholar.
Each CAS unit (department, school, program, center or institute) may submit up to two applications per year as lead. Units may choose to jointly nominate visiting scholars with another CAS unit. The following nomination materials should be submitting using the online submission form:
- A one-page nomination letter with a statement describing how the candidate(s) will contribute to the overall mission of the unit(s) and the college and provides a schedule/timeline of proposed activities and events;
- An up-to-date curriculum vita for the nominee(s);
- Proposed dates of visit (the minimum appointment period is one week);
- Requested compensation for the visit;
- Name of faculty liaison; and
- Name of administrative/staff liaison
Please see below for additional procedures and requirements that must be followed by units considering nominating an international scholar.
Evaluation Procedures and Criteria
The associate deans will comprise the selection committee, chaired by Dean Samuels. Visiting Scholar(s) selection is a highly competitive process. Scholars will be chosen based on how their contributions will best meet the expectations outlined in the program guidelines.
Guidelines for Nominations of International Scholars
Units considering nominating an international scholar for this program (to teach, conduct research, speak or perform another educational activity) should contact the Office for International Scholars (OIS) at OIS@sc.edu in the Division of Human Resources in advance for information and guidance specific to the nominated candidate, which will vary depending on the candidate's country of citizenship, U.S. visa status (if any), U.S. immigration history, availability of U.S. consular visa services due to COVID-19, etc. Best practice is to contact OIS at least 3-6 months prior to the anticipated activity.
McCausland Visiting Scholars
Select below to learn about the visiting scholars selected each year.
Physics and Astronomy - Dr. Revaz Ramazashvili and Dr. Oleksiy Kolezhuk
The Department of Physics and Astronomy will be bringing two scholars through the
program with the mission to team-teach an undergraduate course in quantum computing.
The visiting scholars – Dr. Revaz Ramazashvili and Dr. Oleksiy Kolezhuk – are leaders
in the field of quantum computing and have the unique ability to make complex concepts
accessible to new learners. The course they will teach will be accessible to students
from a wide spectrum of STEM majors. The field of quantum computing will soon require
skilled workers, and now is the perfect time to prepare our students for employment
opportunities offered by this budding new technology. The course is structured so
that it can be taken by students majoring not only in physics, but also in engineering,
computer science, math, and other disciplines. The two visiting scholars have extensive
experience in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics. Each of them has a distinguished
record of employment both in the United States and in Europe.
Political Science - Dr. Yoshiharu Kobayashi
The Department of Political Science will be bringing a leading mid-career scholar
whose work focuses on global political economy and development. The visiting scholar,
Yoshiharu Kobayashi, brings a rich set of experiences teaching in different countries,
including Japan, Kazakhstan, the UK, and Ukraine. Dr. Kobayashi’s visit will focus
on continuing research collaborations with faculty and students in political science.
Considering that Dr. Kobayashi has already published five articles with faculty and
students, we anticipate that his arrival will strengthen these collaborative relationships.
Additionally, Dr. Kobayashi plans to host a workshop for Ph.D. students on international employment, specifically academic positions in universities overseas. Given the potential for limited job prospects in the United States over the next few years many individuals are turning to international job markets. This workshop will enable students to better navigate those application and hiring dynamics. Dr. Kobayashi also plans to participate as a guest speaker in undergraduate and graduate courses and will offer a research presentation that will be open to interested individuals across the campus.