About the Sir William Luce Fellowship

The 2026 Sir William Luce Fellowship, Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, Durham University

The Sir William Luce Memorial Fund committee welcomes applications for the 2026 Sir William Luce Fellowship, 27 April - 26 June 2026.

The Sir William Luce Fellowship is awarded annually to a scholar at post-doctoral level, diplomat, politician, academic or business executive, working on those parts of the Middle East to which Sir William Luce devoted his working life (the Gulf monarchies, Yemen, Iran, Sudan and South Sudan). The fellow is hosted by Durham University during the Easter term of each academic year. Recent fellows have included Mark Katz, Edward Thomas, Helen Lackner, Richard Barltrop, Ambassador John W. Limbert and Leben Moro.

The committee seek to appoint a Fellow whose work will provide fresh perspectives on urgent regional issues in the area comprising Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, the Gulf monarchies and Iran. Fellows are expected to engage with academic staff at Durham and with the distinctive resources available at Durham - The Sudan Archive and the extensive documentary and library collections relating to the MENA region and Gulf in particular. For the 2026 fellowship applicants might, for example, locate current insecurities in Sudan, Yemen or Iran in a wider regional context. The fund also makes available limited funds for the successful applicant to visit the Luce papers held at the Gulf Studies Centre at Exeter University.

The Fellowship, tenable jointly in the Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies and Trevelyan College, entitles the holder to full access to departmental and other University facilities such as Computing and Information Services and the University Library. The Fellowship covers the cost of travel to and from Durham as well as accommodation and all meals for the duration of the Fellowship. Fellows normally reside at Trevelyan College and are warmly encouraged to take a full part in the life of the Senior Common Room during their residence.

The Fellow will deliver the 2026 Sir William Luce Lecture, based on their research, which will form the basis of a paper to be published in a special edition of the Durham Middle East Papers series.

A small honorarium of £1,000 will be provided to the Fellow on submission of the final paper for publication.

The Committee administering the Sir William Luce Memorial Fund reserves the right not to appoint a fellow.

Applicants for the 2026 Fellowship should send a CV (of no more than 2 pages), a two to three-page outline of their proposed research and contact details for two referees, preferably by e-mail, by Wednesday 1 October 2025 to:

The Honorary Secretary 
Sir William Luce Memorial Fund
School of Government and International Affairs 
Durham University
DH1 3TU
United Kingdom 

Email: luce.fund@durham.ac.uk 

Call for applications: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/school-government-international-affairs/research/fellowships/william-luce-fellowship/

Past Sir William Luce papers can be accessed at: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/school-government-international-affairs/research/fellowships/william-luce-fellowship/visiting-fellows-and-sir-william-luce-papers/

Institute for Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies

Durham University offers one of the most attractive academic environments in Britain in which to pursue research in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Its Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies was established in 1962 and now is known internationally for the wide range of Middle Eastern expertise it offers. It has built up a large graduate programme focusing particularly on the economy and politics of the Middle East. In September 2002, the Institute moved into a purpose-built building, generously donated by the H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. The Fellow will be encouraged to participate in all the academic and social programmes of the Institute.

Trevelyan College

Trevelyan, one of the most modern of Durham's Colleges, is of considerable architectural interest and sited within easy walking distance of the University Libraries and teaching departments. It is in close proximity to the Institute, close to five other Colleges and the Botanic Gardens. It has a lively Senior Common Room drawn from all the University's departments, a resident senior academic community of some 15 people and a Postgraduate Centre. During the vacations the College is quieter than in term time and engages in conferences and other trading activities. As a Member, the Fellow will have the right of access to all facilities, including the Senior Common Room, the computer room and library, TV rooms etc. and will be encouraged to join the activities of the College.