In-Residence Program

Each year, we provide the opportunity for visiting scholars and professionals to come to Regent College for a time of research and participation in the Regent community. They are not employees of Regent, but welcomed guests for a term or two. Regent serves as the home-base for these individuals as they pursue a particular project or time of sabbatical. These guests have included applicants at the post-doctoral level, established academics, and those in professional and ministerial capacities such as pastors, chaplains, missionaries, business leaders, and artists.

Qualifications

A scholar- or professional-in-residence is expected to be firmly committed to the Christian faith and will be asked to sign Regent College’s Theological Position and Bullying and Harassment, and Discrimination Prevention Policy.

There are distinct qualifications for scholarly and professional applicants:

  • Scholar-in-Residence: This is for both junior-level academics who have recently graduated from their doctoral program and academics who are firmly established in their field. Junior-level scholars-in-residence normally come to Regent to continue post-doctoral research in their field, often with external funding. Established scholars are normally on a sabbatical from their home institution, and are seeking to use Regent as home-base from which to work on a project. Successful applicants should 1) have recognized research experience in a scholarly field; 2) outline a proposed project they will be working on during their time at Regent; 3) demonstrate an interest in integrating the Christian faith within their field of study. 
  • Professional-in-Residence: This is for a person established in a secular or church-related profession. They normally come to Regent to share their experience in integrating their faith with their vocation in ministry, the marketplace, or the arts. Previous professionals-in-residence include pastors, missionaries, business leaders, scientists, writers, and artists. Successful applicants should 1) demonstrate an interest in integrating the Christian faith with their vocation; 2) outline how their vocational experience, integrated with their Christian faith will benefit the Regent community during their time here.

Term of Stay

Scholars- and professionals-in-residence normally apply for either the Fall or Winter term.

In exceptional cases, applicants with Canadian citizenship or permanent residence may apply for an entire academic year (September to April), if their proposal warrants a longer stay. International applicants may apply for a maximum of six months within the regular academic year, if their proposal warrants a stay beyond one term. The six-month limit is determined by the Canadian visa applicable to this program.

To ensure adequate processing time, accepted international applicants should contact the nearest Canadian embassy as soon as possible after their acceptance regarding visa requirements to enter Canada. The applicant is wholly responsible for ensuring they have permission to come to Canada as a scholar- or professional-in-residence.

Acceptance of scholars- and professionals-in-residence during the Spring/Summer term is rare, and must be clearly justified in the applicant’s proposal.

Expectations

It is expected that scholars- and professionals-in-residence will, at some point, share their knowledge and expertise with Regent students, faculty, and the community as a whole. Examples of what some visitors have done during their time at Regent include pastors who make themselves available to students for spiritual counsel, missionaries sharing their experiences during chapel or student forums, artists who provide a performance or exhibition of artistic work, and academics who present a scholarly paper in a public lecture or faculty forum.

It is expected that research accomplished during the time spent at the College and destined for publication will include an acknowledgement of the contribution made to the research by the Scholar-in-Residence program and the facilities provided by Regent College.

Following their period of residence, scholars- and professionals-in-residence are expected to provide a brief written assessment of their time at the College.

In certain cases, a scholar-in-residence may be invited to teach a class. However, this should not be regarded as an expectation of the role.

Benefits

Successful applicants will be provided with a study space at Regent College, and will have access to the Regent College and UBC Libraries.

Successful applicants will also be able to audit 1–2 regular courses with the approval of the Academic Dean, with the exception of limited enrollment courses. Administrative fees may apply. If scholars- or professionals-in-residence come with a spouse, the spouse is allowed to audit one course per term, subject to the stated exception.

Scholars and professionals-in-residence are invited to the all-college September weekend retreat. An extra charge will apply to spouse and children of the visitor who also attend the retreat.

Please note that Regent College does not provide housing, cover travel expenses, or provide a stipend for scholars- or professionals-in-residence. Applicants must find their own accommodation and be able to cover all of their expenses during their time at Regent.

Application

There are two deadlines for application: August 31 and January 31. Regent College encourages the submission of applications one year in advance of the applicant’s intended stay. Applications will be considered in groups, and visitor spots may fill up after the first deadline. At the time of consideration, all applications will be reviewed, and a decision made as to which applicants will be accepted. We endeavour to achieve a balance of different types of visitors in each academic year, and may be limited by the capacity of the College to host visitors from term to term.

Applicants must submit:

  • A completed application form (available from the Academic Dean's Office)
  • A cover letter that:
    • Explains how you heard of Regent College and any relationship you have with Regent faculty
    • Outlines the reasons for your interest in Regent and how the experience of being a scholar- or professional-in-residence would benefit you
    • Provides a brief description of your research project (if a scholar-in-residence) or how their expertise will tangibly benefit Regent (if a professional-in-residence)
    • States that you have read Regent's Theological Position and can sign it without reservation
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • Two reference letters supporting your application

Submit your application to [email protected].