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The Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School invites applications for Visiting Fellowships for the 2014-2015 academic year. The purpose of the Visiting Fellows Program is to provide opportunities for outstanding scholars to undertake research, writing and scholarly engagement on Islamic law in ways that span traditional academic disciplines consistent with the Program’s mission. The purpose is further to identify promising scholars at the start of their careers whose work combines interdisciplinary excellence in Islamic legal studies, with research interests in Islamic legal history, Islamic law and society, or select themes in both that relate specifically to the digital humanities.ILSP’s mission is to become the leading center for the study of Islamic law and legal history, to promote the comparative and interdisciplinary study of Islamic law and society among students and faculty, and to collect and disseminate scholarly resources to facilitate academic study and public engagement on issues of Islamic law and policy.To ApplyILSP welcomes applicants with a JD, SJD, PhD or other comparable terminal degree from any field of study who are interested in spending a year in residence at Harvard Law School working on scholarly projects relating to one of ILSP’s three research streams for the 2014-2015 academic year:Stream 1. Islamic Law and Legal History. This stream covers both intellectual and social history, of any period: early, medieval, or early modern. It will include subjects ranging from studies of Islamic legal theory and legal interpretation, legal maxims, and substantive law to legal institutions, judicial procedure, and important figures in Islamic legal history.Stream 2. Islamic Law and Society. This stream covers anthropological, sociological, and political scientific approaches to the study of Islamic law in contemporary times. It may cover themes in Muslim-majority countries or Muslim-minority countries, and may be transnational or comparative in scope. Such subjects may include, for example, Islamic constitutionalism and comparative constitutional law, sociology of Islamic law, legal ethnography, and the like.Stream 3. Islamic Law Themes in Digital Humanities. This stream is not limited to a particular subject matter or period. The purpose is to collect and annotate scholarly resources, and make them available to the scholarly community through an online platform developed and supported by ILSP. Sample areas of focus include: Islamic finance, family law, and criminal law.The Program aims to select fellows whose scholarship addresses the critical and legal implications of each of these research streams, in ways that will contribute partially to the Program and partially to the fellow’s own research. Fellows will be expected to participate in ILSP activities, including presentation of an original paper at the Program’s Lecture Series, and contributions to Program activities and research. Fellows can expect to spend 25% of their time devoted to a Program research stream(s) and 75% to their own research.To apply, please submit the application form along with the following materials:a curriculum vitaea recent publication or, if none are available, a writing sample (approximately 25 pages in length). All publications or writing samples should be in English.a research statement (not to exceed 1000 words) that:describes the proposed work during the fellowship period. The proposal should outline a specific research project that can be accomplished during the visitor’s residence at Harvard Law School.sets forth a work output for the completed project (e.g., book, article, database/website entries).identifies a research stream(s) in which the applicant’s research falls.a short statement of funding, outlining whether and what funding is available for the fellowship year for which you are applying, and the funding amount up to $40,000 you seek from the Program.TWO letters of recommendation (if sent with application, letter should be sealed in letterhead envelope and signed over the flap by referee). If more than two are sent, there is no guarantee that all letters will be read.We seek applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, traditions, and scholarly interests. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.Application DeadlinesAll applications must be received no later than February 1, 2014. E-mail applications are accepted, and encouraged. Letters of recommendation may be sent under separate cover directly from the referee to the Program. Application materials may be sent by post, fax, or email to:Islamic Legal Studies ProgramHarvard Law SchoolAustin Hall 1021515 Massachusetts AvenueCambridge, MA 02138USAemail: ilsp@law.harvard.edufax: 617.496.2707Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. No application will be returned. Any publications submitted may be placed in the Harvard Law School Library. Notification of decisions will be emailed within 45 days of the application deadline.Additional InformationFunding and FacilitiesFellows will receive a stipend of up to $40,000, an office, a computer, and full access to Harvard Law School and Harvard University libraries, computer systems and recreational facilities. Bringing one’s own laptop is highly recommended. Secretarial services are not provided.Terms of AppointmentFellows are appointed for an academic year (9 months) and are expected to be in residence at ILSP throughout the term of their appointment, unless travelling for pre-approved research purposes. Exceptionally, the Program will consider semester-long appointments for a four-month term: Fall (September 1 to December 31) or Spring (February 1 to May 31).HousingILSP does not provide housing. No housing should be expected in University apartments or dormitory rooms, for which Harvard faculty and students have priority. Accepted fellows are encouraged to seek outside housing several months before arriving in Cambridge, preferably in person. For assistance with accessing online resources for area housing, please contact ILSP staff.Health InsuranceAll visiting fellows must show proof of having adequate health insurance. Those who do not already possess such insurance can access information on Harvard Affiliate Health Insurance at the Harvard University Health Services website. A less expensive plan, available by the month, has been negotiated by Harvard's International Office for international scholars.CoursesFellows may audit one Law School course on a non-credit basis per semester, with permission of the instructor. There is no tuition charge for auditing courses. Visiting fellows do not have faculty status. Appointment as a Visiting Fellow does not entitle the individual to participation in any Harvard degree program.Faculty ClubFellows may apply for membership in the Harvard Faculty Club. The Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday. There is no membership fee and members are billed monthly for meals taken at the Club.ActivitiesFellows may take advantage of a wealth of cultural and academic extra-curricular offerings available to the Harvard community on a daily basis. Visiting fellows should come prepared to share their professional experience and expertise, and will have opportunities to meet other scholars through functions organized by numerous groups and programs at Harvard Law School and other parts of the University.For any questions or for further information, please address queries to the Islamic Legal Studies Program at ilsp@law.harvard.edu (email) or 617.496.3941 (phone).