The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society does not directly run a formal application-based visitors program. Rather, visiting researchers who wish to come and spend periods of time in Ottawa to do their own research are usually selected and sponsored by our Faculty members, at their own discretion. However, from time to time, the Board may appoint academics, practitioners, or executives as Centre fellows.

We welcome visitors wishing to contribute to the Centre’s research and educational programs through a range of research and exchange activities, and foster research and policy collaboration between our Faculty members and outside experts in academia, private practice, civil society, industry or government. The aim is to support new activities and partnerships, and to develop and promote links with other academic institutions, government agencies, and organizations in Canada and abroad.  

Prospective visitors are encouraged to align their visits with uOttawa academic terms (September-December; January-April) to ensure full immersion in all that our community has to offer. While summer visits (May-August) are possible, visitors should be aware that there are usually fewer activities and people on campus.

Visitors will be integrated into the Centre’s community life as with any other affiliate. They will be included in our activities and events, and receive all internal messages, from public and private events to job and research opportunities. Long-term visitors may also be featured on our website.

Visitors will be granted access to the CLTS Hub – our collaborative research space – and offered use of shared workspaces. Professors and senior fellows will be provided access to the Visiting Researchers’ office (BRS 414) located in the CLTS Hub.  

The Centre does not provide a salary or other kind of financial assistance to visiting scholars and researchers.

The Centre has two visitor schemes: 

• Visiting scholars, for full-time professors at other universities;
• Visiting researchers, for academics and practitioners sponsored by Faculty members

Graduate students who wish to spend an extended period of time at the University of Ottawa should consult our Visiting Students Program.

Academics holding a full-time professor position at other universities in Canada or abroad who wish to spend between one and three terms at the University of Ottawa can be welcomed to the Centre as Visiting Scholars.

Visiting Scholars are expected to be in Ottawa and on campus for the majority of the duration of their appointment.

Prospective visitors should contact a Faculty member with whom they could collaborate, or the Director of the Centre, to discuss the feasibility of a visit.

Once a Faculty member has accepted to sponsor a visit, they must send a request by email to cdts.clts@uottawa.ca, including: 

• full name;  
• email;  
• institution and position;
• link to current official university profile;  
• expected start and end dates;
• eventual visa needs;  
• a short statement about the research program to be led by the visitor;
• a CV;
• any relevant link (e.g. a personal website);
• any support required (e.g. space, WiFi, library access).

The request shall be sent at least one term before the start date.

An official letter of invitation will be provided by the Director of the Centre. If the prospective visitor needs to apply for a visa, the Centre will coordinate with the candidate and the HR immigration team. Please note that the Centre cannot cover related visa fees; these will need to be covered by a Faculty member.

Visiting Scholars are appointed by decision of the Director following a consultation with the Board.

International and Canadian academics and practitioners can be welcomed for short (1-4 weeks), medium (1-4 months) or long-term (1 year or more) visits. Visitors are expected to be in Ottawa and on campus for the majority of the duration of their appointment.

Prospective visitors should contact a Faculty member affiliated with the Centre to discuss the feasibility of a visit and their willingness to act as a sponsor.

Once a Faculty member has accepted to sponsor a visit, they must send a request by email to cdts.clts@uottawa.ca, including:

• full name;  
• email;  
• institution and position;  
• expected start and end dates;
• a short statement about the research program to be led by the visitor;
• any support required (e.g. space);
• if an official letter of invitation from the Director of the Centre is needed.

The request shall be sent at least two months before the expected start date.

For such short visits, no access card will be issued. To enter the CLTS Hub, visitors will have to ring the bell during working hours. In addition, no library access or WiFi credentials will be issued. Most academics from all over the world can access WiFi on campus through Eduroam.

Prospective visitors should contact a Faculty member affiliated with the Centre to discuss the feasibility of a visit and their willingness to act as a sponsor.

If the prospective visitor needs to apply for a visa, they might be required to follow immigration processes. Faculty members should consult their HR resource person, who will coordinate with the central HR immigration team to issue an LMIA-exempt work permit.  The Centre cannot provide immigration support, nor will it cover related fees.

Once a Faculty member has accepted to sponsor a visit, and, where applicable, the application has been approved by HR, the Faculty member must send a request by email to cdts.clts@uottawa.ca, including: 

• full name;  
• email;  
• institution and position;  
• expected start and end dates;
• a short statement about the research program to be led by the visitor;
• any support required (e.g. space, WiFi, @uOttawa.ca email, library access). 

The request shall be sent at least two months before the start date. If IT services are required, the request shall also include the date of birth of the visitor.

Visiting researchers are affiliated with the Centre by decision of the Director upon the recommendation of Faculty members.

For questions related to the Centre’s support, please reach out to the Centre at cdts.clts@uottawa.ca.