Visiting Fellows Programme 

Our visiting fellows programme is aimed at individuals leading and working within SMEs in the North-East of England who wish to pursue continued professional development in their area of expertise. The SME fellows programme is part of Durham University Business School’s Smart & Scale Programme.

The fellow will become an active member of the faculty with access to Durham University Business School’s research centres. They will also be encouraged to give occasional seminars and guest speaker lectures. A flexible programme of work is agreed between the SME Fellow and an Academic Collaborator who is their principal point of contact. This programme is determined primarily by the fellows’ professional development needs. Activities could include, for example, fellows’ input into research within the school, the development of a new collaborative piece of research, engagement events that explore challenges and opportunities for the SME and other relevant stakeholders in the region and/or conference participation. The suggested activities are not exhaustive, and we welcome fresh ideas and approaches related to challenges and opportunities for fellows and other SMEs in the North-East. 

The Visiting SME Fellows Programme includes:

• Access to £1750 to cover travel, accommodation, workshop/conference fees and/or research expenses.
• Attendance at regular research seminars
• Access to shared and public computers
• IT facilities, photocopying and printing in the Department
• Access to University Library

The Visiting SME Fellows Programme is part of Durham University Business School’s Smart & Scale initiative. This is underpinned by 4 key themes: New Business Models, Leadership, Emerging Technology and Supply Chains. We invite fellowship applications that are tied to one or more of these areas. The suggested topics are not exhaustive nor narrowly defined, and we welcome fresh ideas and approaches related to challenges facing SMEs in the North-East of England and the UK more broadly.