Programmes

Launching the Research Journey The Summer School is the foundational phase of the PGCertR programme, marking the formal entry point for all postgraduate researchers at the Highland Institute’s School of Advanced Studies. Held annually in June, this immersive, residential training module brings together selected early-career scholars for an intensive period of methodological instruction, research design, and […]

Scholarly Community at the Highland Institute The Highland Institute welcomes a diverse and vibrant community of fellows and visiting scholars, who contribute to the Institute’s interdisciplinary, collaborative, and field-oriented research culture. Whether through formal membership in the Highland Fellowship or as independent scholars visiting for specific research engagements, these individuals are integral to the intellectual

Mid-Year Reflection and Academic Exchange The Winter Research Colloquium, held each December in conjunction with the Ursula Graham Bower Lectures, is the intellectual centrepiece of the PGCertR programme’s second phase. Designed as both a milestone and a public forum, it brings together PGCertR students, senior scholars, institutional partners, and members of the public for a

Hands-On Research Development at The Highland Institute Internships and training programmes at The Highland Institute have long served as vital components of our commitment to grounded, ethical, and context-specific research. While the formal Postgraduate Certificate in Research (PGCertR) now anchors our annual academic cycle, a wide range of targeted training sessions, project-based internships, and skill-building

A Year of Immersive Learning and Research The PGCertR is structured as a year-long academic journey, organised into four interlinked phases that combine theoretical grounding, hands-on fieldwork, critical analysis, and final thesis writing. Each phase is designed to support the development of rigorous, contextually embedded research, with close mentorship and institutional support throughout.  Phase 1:

Who Should Apply The Postgraduate Certificate in Research (PGCertR) is designed for early-career scholars, advanced students, and independent researchers who are committed to developing their research skills in the humanities and social sciences, particularly within the contexts of highland and borderland Asia. Applicants should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a clear commitment to engaging

Funding the Future of Research The Highland Institute is committed to making advanced research training accessible and equitable. All admitted candidates to the PGCertR programme receive a full tuition waiver and access to academic resources and supervision. We aim to remove financial barriers for promising researchers, particularly those working in or on underrepresented regions and

Research in Context. Knowledge in Practice. The Postgraduate Certificate in Research (PGCertR) is the flagship training programme of the Highland Institute’s School of Advanced Studies. It is designed for early-career researchers seeking to develop high-level skills in interdisciplinary inquiry, field-based research, and ethical engagement with communities and sources in Highland Asia and comparable settings. With

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The Academic Heart of the Highland Institute Founded in 2017, the School of Advanced Studies (SAS) is the Highland Institute’s dedicated academic wing. It was created to nurture emerging scholarship, train early-career researchers, and foster interdisciplinary knowledge production within the Himalayan region and beyond. SAS serves as the institutional home for all academic programmes, training