The Centre for International Studies was established as an enterprise in inter-departmental collaboration in 1967 with the initial aid of a five year grant from the Ford Foundation. Its prime purpose has been to encourage individual research in international studies, broadly conceived. Much of the research of its visiting fellows has had a regional focus. Soviet and Chinese studies were encouraged at the outset but the range of regions covered has extended and includes the Middle East, Asia and Europe. It is now part of the International Relations Department but is maintained and administered by an inter-departmental Steering Committee. The current chair of the Steering Committee is Dr Andrew Walter| (Department of International Relations).
The Steering Committee assumes responsibility for recommending the appointment of up to six Visiting Fellows at any one time from the UK and abroad. Fellowships can be held from a minimum period of one term up to a maximum period of two years (in special circumstances). Post-doctoral students are encouraged to apply and one place at least will normally be kept for them.
The Centre sponsors a monograph series in the field of International Studies published by Cambridge University Press.
International Social Research Training| [Word doc] - In the fourth round of the ESRC's Researcher Development Initiative, the Centre for International Studies has received an award of £56,000 in partnership with the Social Research Association to develop a series of training modules for international social research.