Visiting Pakistan? IPDS can host you
Scholars and practitioners travel to Pakistan every year for fieldwork, conferences, university appointments and official visits. Many would welcome the chance to present their work to a policy audience, test their findings with Pakistani colleagues, or meet the people working on their subject in Islamabad. IPDS can help make that happen.
Since its launch in 2014, the Institute has convened dialogues, lectures and roundtables with diplomats, officials and researchers from across the world, and it works through nine centres of study, from SCO Studies and BRI and China Studies to European, American and Africa Studies. When a visiting scholar’s work matches a centre’s agenda, the centre can host a session around their visit.
What we can arrange during your visit
Tell us what would be most useful. Each visit is arranged individually, around your dates and our programme.
Public talk or lecture
A talk at IPDS in Islamabad for an invited audience of diplomats, officials, researchers and students, with questions and discussion.
Closed-door roundtable
A small, focused discussion with Pakistani experts on your subject, under the Chatham House Rule where appropriate.
Briefing session
A briefing on your research for diplomats, officials or analysts working on the same region or issue.
Research meetings
Introductions to scholars, think tanks and institutions relevant to your fieldwork, arranged through the IPDS network.
University lecture
A guest lecture at one of IPDS’s partner universities, subject to their academic calendar.
Media and publication
An interview or podcast with IPDS media, or a commentary published by IPDS, so your work reaches a wider audience.
—Academics and postdoctoral researchers on research trips, sabbaticals or visiting appointments at Pakistani universities.
—Researchers from think tanks and policy institutes travelling for fieldwork, conferences or partnership visits.
—Serving and retired diplomats, officials of international organisations, and practitioners on official or private visits.
—Doctoral researchers in the later stages of fieldwork who would like to present and discuss their findings.
1
Send a request
Complete the form below with your dates, the cities you will be in, and what you would like IPDS to host. Please write at least three weeks before you arrive.
2
Review
The Research Desk and the relevant centre read every request and may ask a question about your topic or audience.
3
Agree the programme
If we can host you, we propose a format, date, venue and audience, and agree the event title and your biography with you in writing.
4
During your visit
IPDS invites the audience, hosts the session and, with your agreement, shares it through our events page, newsletter and social media.
Planning your research visit to Pakistan
—Timing. Write at least three weeks before you arrive. Sessions are easiest to arrange from Monday to Thursday, and outside public holidays and the month of Ramadan.
—Visas. Visitors apply through the Government of Pakistan’s online visa portal. IPDS does not sponsor visas. Once a session is agreed, we confirm the programme to you in writing.
—Where. Most sessions take place at IPDS in Islamabad. Lectures in Lahore, Karachi or Peshawar depend on partner universities and are arranged case by case.
—Travel and stay. Visitors arrange their own travel and accommodation. Hosting by IPDS is honorary, and there is no charge for it.
The form takes about ten minutes. You will need your dates (or the month you expect to travel), a short biography of 50 to 150 words, and a link to your institutional profile.
