Mohamed Keshavjee Honours the Legacy of Henry Brown

Dr Mohamed M Keshavjee delivers a memorial lecture honouring Henry Brown, the well-known Pioneer of Alternative Justice in the UK

Read the full story

Imagined Futures: Thought, Art and Ethics in Muslim Societies

The third annual IIS/AKU-ISMC Graduate Conference, "Imagined Futures: Thought, Art and Ethics in Muslim Societies", taking place on 26 September, is now open for registration. The conference showcases student-led research at The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Aga Khan University – Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations.

view of the aga khan centre from lewis cubitt square

IIS Showcases Knowledge, Heritage and Engagement at the Global Encounters Festival 2025

IIS participated in the Global Encounters Festival, joining several other institutions of the Ismaili Imamat in the AKDN Pavilion at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Read the full story

IIS Alumni and Partners Gathering at the Global Encounters Festival

Alumni and supporters of IIS came together for a special event hosted at the Global Encounters Festival in Dubai

Read the full story

Voices of IIS – Episode 3 with Shainool Jiwa

Dr Shainool Jiwa is celebrating 25 years at The Institute of Ismaili Studies. Join host Selina Kassam Ramji as they remember how Dr Jiwa got started in the Institute, what inspired her to study the Fatimid Empire (909-1171 CE) and how she brings Islamic studies to a wider audience today.

Listen to the episode

Graduating STEP teachers return for CPD and celebration

After six months of field teaching, STEP Cohort 15 returned to London for a week of reflection and learning - sharing experiences and strengthening their impact as secondary teachers.

Read the full story

About us

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), 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.

Find out more

Study with us

Graduate studies

The IIS currently offers two graduate programmes which attract students from Ismaili communities world-wide.

Find out more

Short Courses

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

Find out more

Fellowships and Scholarships

The Institute offers various scholarship and fellowship programmes to suitable candidates with a focus on Islamic studies or other areas of interest to the 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 - Episode 2 with Shah Hussain

Listen to the second episode of Voices of IIS, featuring Shah Hussain, librarian at the Aga Khan Library. He reflects on his journey from Chitral to IIS, and the enduring role of libraries in out society.

Listen to the episode

Photography

A photographic celebration of Aga Khan IV

The Ismaili Special Collections Unit has launched a photo gallery in celebration of the legacy of His Highness Aga Khan IV, the founder of The Institute of Ismaili Studies.

Find out more