The Social Media Lab has a strong tradition of collaboration. As an internationally engaged research lab, our Visiting Scholar Program (VSP) hosts a diverse range of outstanding multidisciplinary scholars from around the world. The program provides a visiting scholars with an opportunity to further their own research as well as collaborate with the Lab on a joint research project. During the program, the visiting scholar will be an active participant in the research life of the lab and will have access to our international network of experts and our suite of social media data analytics tools. The visiting scholar will also have the chance to explore Toronto – Canada’s largest and most multicultural city.

All applicants must be qualified scholars such as a professor holding a continuing appointment at an accredited academic or research institution with established expertise in a relevant area of research or a mid to late-stage PhD student.

Information

The Application Form will ask you to briefly outline a short-term joint research project that you can start prior to your visit and complete while at the Lab or shortly after your visit. Here are a few of the items that you will need to provide on the Application Form:

1. Propose a start/end date for your visit (2-3 months) to the Social Media Lab. If you are selected, we will work with you to find an appropriate start and end date.
2. Outline of the research objectives*
3. Research question(s)*
4. Originality of the proposed research
5. Methods
6. Have you done any previous work in this area? If yes, please describe.
7. How do you see the Social Media Lab contributing to the project? (e.g., help with the data collection, analysis, etc). Please be specific.

Other Requirements

It is expected that the visiting scholar/professor will spend a minimum of 1 month (up to 6 months) in Toronto, during which time they will participate in research meetings and events hosted by the Lab, give a talk about their research to the Ryerson community, and produce a joint research paper based on the collaborative project outlined in their application.

Visiting scholars must secure their own independent funding to support their research and any travel expenses. The visiting scholar will be provided with a desk in a shared space at the Lab, along with a desktop computer, internet access, and online library access.

All international visiting scholars must obtain a visa and/or work permit. As requirements vary by country of origin, please refer to this link for more information. If selected for the Visiting Scholar Program, Toronto Metropolitan University will issue a visa invitation letter.