The Iranian History Initiative invites applications for the Amir Khosrow Afshar Visiting Fellowship for the 2025-26 academic year. This fellowship was established with the generous support of Mr Allahyar Afshar and honours the memory of Amir Khosrow Afshar, a distinguished Iranian stateman who served as Iranian Ambassador to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and as Foreign Minister of Iran from 1978 to 1979.
The Amir Khosrow Afshar Visiting Fellowship provides an opportunity for an external post-doctoral scholar of modern Iranian history, including both early-career researchers and established scholars, to travel to London and be affiliated with ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ while conducting research on any aspect of the modern history of Iran between 1500 and 1979. This might include research at the UK National Archives, the British Library, the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Library and Archives, or other libraries and archives in London and the UK.
The Iranian History Initiative particularly welcomes applications from scholars based outside of the UK; from scholars whose research involves the use of Persian-language primary sources; and from scholars working on any aspect of the history of Pahlavi Iran (1921-1979).
The Afshar Fellowship is tenable for a period of one month during either the Autumn (29 September to 12 December 2025), Winter (19 January to 2 April 2026) or Spring (5 May to 19 June 2026) terms at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. Fellowships are not tenable outside of these dates of term. Afshar Fellows will be reimbursed up to £2,000 for the cost of return economy travel to London, up to £125 per night for accommodation for a maximum of 31 days stay in London, and up to £125 for UK visa expenses.
Fellows will be formally affiliated with the Iranian History Initiative and the Department of International History at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. Afshar Fellows will receive an ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ ID card, granting them access to campus buildings, including the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Library. An IT account, including ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ e-mail and access to the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Library’s online resources, will also be provided. Afshar Fellows are expected to attend IHI and departmental events during the period of their residency in London and to present their research in a departmental forum or public event.
Applications, consisting of a research proposal (no more than three pages) and CV, should be made by email to Dr Roham Alvandi (R.Alvandi@lse.ac.uk) in the first instance by no later than 20 January 2025. Applications will be assessed by a selection committee and the fellowship will be awarded by the Department of International History’s Research Committee.
Former Amir Khosrow Afshar Fellows