Call for Applications: Asia Center Graduate Student Associate Program

Asia Center Graduate Student Associate Program

As part of its mission to promote intra- and inter-Asian research, the Asia Center invites Harvard University graduate students who engage seriously with at least two Asian countries to become Asia Center Graduate Student Associates (GSA).

Students may be from any school or department of the university. Preference will be given to those in doctoral programs. Students who combine work on another world region with scholarship on at least two Asian societies are also encouraged to apply. The Asia Center requires that its GSAs participate actively in the Asia Center’s graduate student colloquium, which will meet bi-weekly (precise schedule TBD), and to present on their research once or twice annually. Meetings will be done in-person, if possible, though virtual and hybrid options may be considered.

The goal of the GSA program is to create a community of graduate students from a range of disciplines whose research transcends national boundaries in meaningful ways. Applicants from all schools at Harvard are encouraged to apply. Participation as a GSA will provide students with the opportunity not only to receive feedback on their own transnational and comparative work, but also to become conversant in approaches and methodologies across disciplines and national boundaries, which is essential in today’s academy.

The Asia Center will provide GSAs with $1,000 annually to support approved research activities. GSAs can apply to renew their status as long as they are enrolled at Harvard, for a maximum of three years.

Graduate Student Associates in Residence

Assuming the campus is open and dependent on instructions from the University regarding the use of office space, the Asia Center Graduate Student Associates in Residence (GSAR) program provides a limited number of Asia Center GSAs with shared office space in the Center for Government and International Studies (CGIS) South Building. GSARs are students in the final year or two of dissertation-writing. The Asia Center expects its GSARs to use their offices regularly (at least three days per week). Because of space limitations in CGIS, the Asia Center at present can house only six GSARs.

Application Procedure

There is a single application for GSA and for GSAR available via CARAT (under “Asia Center Graduate Student Associate Program"). Application materials will include transcript, statement of research plan, one recommendation letter, and the GSAR selection sheet, if applicable. Please contact Jorge Espada (jorge_espada@harvard.edu) with any questions regarding the application process.

Please note: Students with qualifying projects who are GSAs or equivalent at other Harvard centers are also welcome to apply to become Asia Center GSAs, but students who have office space through other Harvard centers or departments are not eligible for an Asia Center office.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 14, 2021