Before ‘the Pursuit of Happiness’: Emotional Flourishing in Early Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Register for an international conference exploring emotional flourishing in early Judaism, Christianity and Islam, 7–8 July 2026 at the Aga Khan Centre, London.

Ancient tree of life mosaic symbolising emotional flourishing and wellbeing in religious traditions

IIS-supported researcher at ethnomusicology conference

Dr Budhaditya Bhattacharyya presented IIS-supported research on the melodicities of the Kalam-i Mawla at the British Forum for Ethnomusicology Annual Conference 2026.

Professor Amir-Moezzi awarded Avicenna Prize

Professor Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi has received the Avicenna Prize of the Royal Academy of Belgium, recognising his contributions to Islamic thought and the history of religions.

Professor Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi awarded Avicenna Prize

Dissertation Writing Scholarship open for 2026

Applications are now open for IIS Dissertation Writing Scholarship 2026, supporting graduate students researching Ismaili and Islamic studies topics. Deadline: 30 September 2026.

Library study space at The Institute of Ismaili Studies for Dissertation Writing Scholarship Applicants

Annemarie Schimmel Fellowship applications open for 2026

Applications are now open for the Annemarie Schimmel Fellowship, supporting research in Islamic mysticism, Persian and South Asian literature, and Muslim devotional traditions. Deadline: 30 September 2026.

IIS fellowship and scholarship application resources at the Aga Khan Library, London

About us

The Institute of Ismaili Studies, established in 1977, is a higher education, research and teaching institution dedicated to high-quality scholarship and education on Islam and Muslim societies, with a particular focus on Ismaili and broader Shiʿi studies, encompassing their historical and geographical contexts.

Graduate studies

We currently offer two graduate programmes that attract students from Ismaili communities worldwide.

Find out more

Short Courses

Our Short Courses introduce participants to social, cultural, and civilisational approaches to the study of Islam and Muslim societies, with a particular focus on Ismaili contexts.

Find out more

Scholarship and Fellowship

The Institute offers several scholarship and fellowship programmes to suitable candidates with a focus on Islamic studies or other areas of interest to IIS.

Find out more

Discover our research

Research at IIS seeks to contribute to the field of Islamic studies in general, with a particular focus on Shiʿi and Ismaili studies.

Find out more

Explore our publications

The Institute of Ismaili Studies publishes works by its own scholars as well as from the academic community outside the Institute.

Find out more

Podcast

Voices of IIS with Dr Daryoush Mohammad Poor

In this episode Dr Daryoush Mohammad Poor reflects on his journey to IIS, his scholarship in Ismaili philosophy, and the enduring relationship between faith, intellect, and community service.

Find out more

Talks and Lectures

Educating for hope

This talk from Voices of Contemporary Islamic Thought series explores how education, ethical reflection and collective agency can help communities respond to climate change, health inequity and other interconnected global crises.

Find out more

Talks and Lectures

Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi philosophy

This lecture by Professor William Rory Dickson explores key ideas in Sufi philosophy through the thought of Ibn ʿArabi, focusing on unity, perception and the nature of reality.

Find out more

Podcast

The Voices of History: Echoes of Childhood

In this episode of The Voices of History, seven elders from Syria, Iran, India, East Africa, and northern Pakistan reflect on the memories that shaped their childhoods.

Find out more