The University of Chicago Martin Marty Center

Senior Research Fellowships

Meet the Fellows
Senior Research Fellow Symposium

Senior research fellows in the Marty Center are scholars from the United States and other countries throughout the world, on sabbatical leave from their home institutions.

Senior research fellows are expected to situate their research within a broader cultural frame of reference, bringing their perspectives to bear on religious questions facing the wider public. They do so in the Marty Seminar, in which they present their work and critically discuss the presentations of other fellows.

Senior research fellows have access to the University of Chicago library and network, and receive an office in Swift Hall, the home of the Divinity School.

Those wishing to apply to the Marty Center for status as a senior research fellow must submit the following materials by January 31 for appointments the following academic year:

A letter indicating the proposed period of residence

A brief statement (not to exceed six double-spaced, typed pages) of research plans

A curriculum vitae

A letter of recommendation, ideally from a scholar known to a faculty member of the Divinity School

Because the Marty Center is able to offer only limited financial support to senior research fellows, applicants must secure additional funding from outside sources.

All application materials should be sent to William Schweiker, the director of the Marty Center.

Senior Research Fellow Symposium

This year the MMC is instituting a new event, the Senior Fellow Symposium. This event will allow a Senior Fellow to present her or his work in a public forum to members of the seminar, the entire Divinity School community and also members of the University and interested persons. Current senior fellow Mary Gerhart, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, will be speaking at the first Senior Fellow Symposium, to be held April 10, 2008; click here for details.