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About the Scholarship

Somerville College and the Ethox Centre have established two  Annual Visiting Scholarships to provide opportunities to spend time researching at the University of Oxford.

The Scholarships are aimed at supporting early career researchers from Black ethnic backgrounds, ordinarily resident in the UK, to pursue an academic career. Please note that ‘early career’ refers to career path, rather than age or specific qualifications and could, for example, include those who are recently graduated, still studying at post-graduate level, changing careers, returning after a career break or moving from industry to academia.

This positive action initiative aims to tackle the disproportionately low representation of Black researchers in UK academia and at Oxford in particular. The Scholarships are intended to support emerging scholars who would not otherwise have the opportunity to spend time pursuing their research at Oxford. 

Visiting Scholarships will be awarded each year to researchers with an interest in bioethics (including related disciplines such as philosophy, history, sociology and anthropology). 

The Scholars will spend four weeks based at Somerville College and the Ethox Centre and will conduct research on a topic related to the research programmes of the Ethox Centre. They will benefit from the supervision and feedback of Ethox research staff and will have access to the libraries and research facilities of the University of Oxford. They will also have the opportunity to attend weekly seminars and work in progress meetings, as well as talks and events across the University. During their visit, Scholars will be expected to give a presentation on their research at one of the Ethox Centre’s weekly research seminars.

Each Scholarship includes four weeks’ accommodation, including all meals, at Somerville College and a contribution of up to £2,000 to assist with travel and other eligible costs.

How to apply

The application deadline for the next round of the Somerville-Ethox Visiting Scholarship is noon on Monday 27 February 2023.

Applicants for the scholarships will normally hold at least an undergraduate degree relevant to bioethics (including related disciplines such as philosophy, history, sociology and anthropology) with evidence of current or emerging research in these fields.

Candidates will normally be at an early academic career stage. This refers to their career path, rather than age or specific qualifications and could, for example, include those who are recently graduated, still studying at post-graduate level, changing careers, returning after a career break or moving from industry to academia.

The scholarships are open to applicants from Black and Mixed Black ethnic backgrounds who are ordinarily resident in the UK. Please note that eligibility for the Scholarships is also subject to having a right to work in the UK as benefits are offered with the association.

Full details and how to apply are on the Somerville College website.

Previous Scholars