Asian Law Center
Visiting Scholars Program
The University of Washington School of Law is distinguished by a vibrant Visiting Scholar Program. The Program attracts researchers and legal policy makers from around the world who wish to participate in the Law School’s research and teaching programs, and conduct comparative research using the law library. The Program is designed for senior legal career professionals from legal institutions and eminent academics who have an extensive background in their given fields. Visiting Scholars may continue their research for up to one year, and may apply to extend the period for a maximum of one additional year.
The Law School hosts a maximum of 35 Visiting Scholars at any one time and receives many more applications than there are places available. Most successful applicants are current law faculty, public legal officials or experienced attorneys who already hold an LL.M. or Ph.D. in law.
Admission to the Visiting Scholars Program is highly competitive. An appointment as a Visiting Scholar is made by the voting faculty and is not automatic. A member of the faculty must express an interest in working with a Visiting Scholar applicant before the application can be considered for approval. Where an applicant does not have a preexisting relationship with a faculty member, the Visiting Scholar Program Coordinator will, where possible, match an applicant with a faculty member who is willing to act as an academic host for the visit.
Visiting Scholars Admissions Information
Visiting Scholars Benefits
- Faculty: Discuss research and common interests with law faculty who have agreed to work with the Visiting Scholar. Access to faculty is at their discretion; there is no guarantee that a particular faculty member will be available.
- Gallagher Law Library: Access to and checkout of library books including our large international and comparative law collection and access to databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. Access to databases on the Web may require a UW NetID. Borrowing books from other libraries (interlibrary loan) will be offered but if there are charges, the user will have to pay. Visiting Scholars are entitled to the same reference services as UW J.D. and LL.M. students – that is, reference librarians will help them use the print and online resources. Visiting Scholars are not entitled to faculty-level research services, including preparation of bibliographies and memoranda.
- University Library: Library privileges as provided by library regulations and eligibility for assignment of faculty study in the Henry Suzzallo Library and access to University study and non-classified research facilities.
- Research Space: Ample research space is available in the Law Library. Research carrels cannot be reserved but study and discussion rooms may be reserved on a short-term basis. Office space is not available.
- Computer Access: Computer access is available from terminals in the library and from the workstations in the Computer Lab. Visiting Scholars are provided with the information to establish a UW NetID for computing privileges such as e-mail and internet access.
- Law Courses: Attend law courses and seminars as an observer with permission of the individual instructor.
- Academic English Program: Eligible for courses for non-native English speakers at an additional fee. Matriculated students have priority, thus enrollment is limited to a space available basis (contact the AEP advisor at 206-543-6242 or
).
- Special Activities: Participate in special activities connected with the Law School Graduate Programs.
- UW Facilities: Access to recreational and other facilities of the Associated Students of the University of Washington (contact the ASUW at http://depts.washington.edu/asuweb/index.php or 206-543-1780 ).
- Bus Pass: Eligible for a special University bus pass (U-Pass) at a nominal cost (contact Parking Services).
- Parking: Eligible for University campus parking for a fee (contact Parking Services).