Research Strategy
The Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) is a research-driven and non-denominational academic institution which produces internationally recognised research, education and outreach founded on a scholarly and plural understanding of Islam and Muslim cultures.
The objective of AKU-ISMC is to provide world-class academic research on Muslim contexts, past and present, guided by intellectual curiosity and academic rigour, and to impact future scholarship, enhance knowledge (across various audiences) and shape policy. Unlike many area studies programmes, our research is undertaken for, rather than simply about, the regions we study—aiming to address real-world challenges and help realise opportunities in contemporary Muslim contexts. AKU-ISMC research also consciously seeks to inform policy and challenge stereotyping, racism, and social and gender inequality, championing approaches that promote diversity and plurality.
Individual faculty engage in interdisciplinary research that explores the histories, societies, and cultures of Muslim contexts with particular attention to the geographies in which the Aga Khan University operates and seeks to produce research that has meaningful impact across lower- and middle-income countries. At AKU-ISMC, our scholarly activities are particularly structured around Digital Scholarship and three region-specific areas of expertise: the Indian Ocean, Iran and Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. We consider these regions as spaces of interaction and exchange, and our research projects in these areas offer a lens to explore how Muslim societies, across various times and locations, are shaped by global factors like migration, shifts in global trade networks, and climate change. By adopting interdisciplinary approaches and engaging with both historical and contemporary questions, our work aims to address urgent challenges facing lower- and middle-income countries and to contribute to wider global conversations.
AKU-ISMC actively collaborates with academic, cultural and civil society partners to ensure that its research, teaching and outreach reflect the broader University's commitment to Impact, Quality, Relevance, and Access.
Further Information
Please contact us at: ismc.research@aku.edu
