Visiting Scholars Program
Bridging Research, Practice, and Global Urban Perspectives
The Visiting Scholars Program at the Program on Chinese Cities (PCC), UNC–Chapel Hill, welcomes scholars and practitioners from around the world to engage in collaborative research, comparative study, and professional growth. This program provides unique opportunities to connect cutting-edge research with practical applications in urban and regional development.
Two Distinct Program Tracks
We tailor the Visiting Scholars Program to meet different academic and professional needs:
- Academic Visiting Scholars
- Designed for university students, doctoral candidates, post-docs, and faculty members
- Focused on rigorous academic research, collaboration with PCC and DCRP faculty, and opportunities for publications
- Closely aligned with PCC’s core research directions
- Executive Visiting Scholars
- Tailored for mid- to advanced-level practitioners in urban planning, governance, development, or related fields
- Aims to sharpen professional skills through a comparative understanding of urban and regional development
- Bridges theory and practice—helping participants bring research insights into policy-making and real-world applications
- Closely aligned with PCC’s core research directions
Three Visiting Duration Tracks
The Program on Chinese Cities welcomes visiting scholars with diverse academic and professional goals. To accommodate different stages of study and research, the program offers three distinct duration tracks:
- Six-Month Track
- Designed for short-term master’s or Ph.D. students who wish to gain an overview of research methods and urban policy practices. Participants may attend PCC seminars, engage in discussions with faculty, and strengthen their research design or analytical approaches within identified study areas.
- One-Year Track
- Intended for scholars and practitioners seeking deeper engagement with PCC research initiatives. Visitors may collaborate on ongoing projects, co-author papers with faculty members, and present their work through seminars and publications.
- Two-Year Track
- Developed for scholars and practitioners pursuing long-term collaboration and sustained academic impact. This extended stay supports comprehensive research and provides dedicated time for book manuscript preparation within the academic environment of UNC–Chapel Hill and the PCC community.
- Developed for scholars and practitioners pursuing long-term collaboration and sustained academic impact. This extended stay supports comprehensive research and provides dedicated time for book manuscript preparation within the academic environment of UNC–Chapel Hill and the PCC community.
Why Join the PCC Visiting Scholars Program
- Academic Excellence: Work alongside leading scholars in urban and regional planning.
- Practical Impact: Apply research insights to real-world policy and practice.
- Customized Experience: Select the track and duration that best fits your career stage and goals.
- Global Perspective: Gain comparative knowledge of urbanization and development across U.S.–China and beyond.
Learn More
Whether you’re an emerging scholar building research credentials or an experienced professional seeking comparative insights for practice and policy, the PCC Visiting Scholars Program offers a tailored pathway for growth.
Explore more and discover how you can become part of our global academic community.