RSF supports the research and writing of visiting scholars, journalists and researchers who are in residence. It seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among social scientists, journalists, and RSF staff and to foster professional collaborations. Visiting scholars, journalists and researchers often remark on the professional benefits of daily lunch discussions, weekly seminars, and informal socializing with an interdisciplinary cohort. Visitors are encouraged to form writing and discussion groups which can meet over lunch or in our conference rooms.

To foster this engagement and community building, RSF expects that visitors will 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. Visiting class members are expected to spend at least 75% of their fellowship at work at the Foundation’s offices.

Limited travel for scholarly purposes and vacations is anticipated, but visitors 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 Bruce Western.

Visitors who do not meet the office attendance requirement will be reviewed, and their award may be reduced. Our receptionist, Tina Arboleda (tina@rsage.org) record staff and visiting scholar attendance each day RSF is open. Attendance reports will be sent to visiting scholars and journalists for review on December 1, and April 1st.

Updated on September 1, 2025