Call for Applications – Inalco-IMAS / Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Visiting Chair of Excellence

This program is designed to host a distinguished international scholar for a period of four to five weeks, with the aim of enhancing the scientific and pedagogical activity of the IMAS program, while reinforcing the international visibility and outreach of Armenian Studies.

Objectives of the Chair

•  To offer a prestigious and stimulating academic environment at Inalco for a recognized scholar working on an innovative and relevant research topic within Armenian Studies;
• To foster the inclusion of Armenian Studies in broader interdisciplinary dialogues across the humanities, social sciences, and the arts;
• To strengthen international research, teaching and outreach networks;
• To contribute to the creation of long-term educational resources for the IMAS program and a broader audience.

Eligibility and Profile 

The Visiting Chair is open to established scholars specializing in Armenian Studies in any of the following fields: social sciences, linguistics, history, humanities or the arts.

Particular attention will be given to proposals that:

• Address contemporary issues concerning the Armenian world in its political, intellectual, human and historical complexity;
• Engage with diasporic dynamics and circulations between Armenia and the Diaspora (people, ideas, practices, knowledge systems...);
• Include teaching in Western Armenian (preferred but not mandatory).

Terms of the Visiting Appointment

During the stay in Paris (4 to 5 weeks between September 2024 and March 2025), the visiting professor will be expected to:

• Deliver a public inaugural lecture (in French or English) at Inalco, presenting original aspects of their ongoing research. The lecture will be recorded and made publicly available;
• Offer a 10 hours teaching program (in the form of courses or lectures, depending on the academic calendar) for students of the IMAS Master’s program, and participate in their evaluation (maximum of 15 students);
• Record this teaching program in studio format, structured into 7 sessions of 1h30, for inclusion in the “IMAS-FCG Permanent Course Library” (under CC-BY-NC-NB license);
• The visiting scholar may be asked to give a public talk at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon.

Financial and Logistical Support

•  The program provides a total stipend of €6,200 covering travel, accommodation and per diem expenses; The payment terms will be specified to the recipient by the Inalco Foundation
• The visiting scholar will be hosted within the IMAS teaching team and affiliated with a research unit at Inalco (subject to availability of workspace).
• A scientific advisor (outside the Armenian Studies field) will be assigned to support the scholar's integration into Inalco’s broader academic environment.
• Support will be provided for housing arrangements (e.g., Maison Suger, Cité internationale universitaire de Paris).
• Technical assistance for recording lectures will be offered by Inalco’s TICE (educational technologies) service.

Application Materials

Applicants should submit a single PDF file including:

1. A detailed cover letter, introducing their academic background, research, motivations for joining the IMAS program, and potential collaborative interests at Inalco;
2. A proposal for the inaugural lecture, addressing a topic of broad academic interest (particularly in the field of area studies);
3. A course proposal for the IMAS program (1-page syllabus);
4. A curriculum vitae and list of publications.

Selection Criteria

• Academic excellence and originality (in terms of methodology, topic, discipline, sources, applications...);
• Relevance of the course proposal to the IMAS program’s objectives;
• Potential of the inaugural lecture to engage a wide academic audience beyond Armenian Studies;
• Ability to foster or expand research networks at Inalco and internationally.

Selection Procedure

The applications will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of representatives from the IMAS Master's teaching team and the Inalco research committee, external scientific experts, and a representative of the Gulbenkian Foundation in an advisory capacity.

Timeline

• Call opens: June 10, 2025
• Application deadline: July 10, 2025 at midnight
• Notification of results: July 17, 2025
• Visiting period in Paris: 4 to 5 weeks between September 15, 2025 and March 15, 2026

Submission

Applications (single PDF file) should be sent by email to: Click here to show mail address and Click here to show mail address 

Email subject: Application – Inalco-IMAS / FCG Visiting Chair 2025–2026