RSF’s Visiting Scholar fellowships have, for more than thirty years, supported the data analysis and writing of individuals who are in residence. Through this signature program, RSF also seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among social scientists and RSF staff and foster professional research collaborations. Visiting Scholars often remark on the professional benefits of daily lunch discussions, weekly seminars, and informal socializing with a diverse, interdisciplinary cohort. Scholars are also encouraged to form writing and discussion groups which can meet over lunch or in a conference room. The RSF Visiting Journalist program, created in 2015, seeks to increase dialogue and foster collaboration between scholars and journalists whose work addresses our priority areas.

To foster this engagement and community building, RSF expects scholars to actively engage with their class and the RSF staff by attending all weekly seminars, being available for discussion at lunch, and interacting with journalists, visiting researchers, and Margaret Olivia Sage scholars, whose residencies are of shorter duration.

Scholars are typically expected to spend at least 75% of their fellowship at work at the Foundation’s offices. Limited travel for scholarly purposes and vacations are anticipated, but scholars are not allowed to take extended trips (more than one week) during periods when RSF is open. If you have any questions about this policy, please discuss them as soon as possible with Sheldon Danziger.

Absence for more than a quarter of the fellowship period, including time away for academic pursuits and vacation, may lead to reduction of the fellowship grant. Attendance reports will be sent to scholars for review on February 1st, and May 1st. The reports are based on each scholar check-in/sign-in when starting each of their day. Please report your days out of the office to Tina Arboleda, the receptionist, via email, tina@rsage.org.

Updated on September 1, 2024