Welcome to the British Institute of Persian Studies
Welcome to the website of the British Institute of Persian Studies. We are an academic body founded in 1961, associated with and financially supported by the British Academy. We promote scholarship and research in all aspects of Iranian Studies. A purpose-built institute was opened in Tehran in 1976 on land leased from the British government adjacent to the Embassy compound in Qolhak. Why are Persian Studies important? Great cultures and dynasties have originated in what is now Iran.
Many distinguished scholars have explored its rich heritage, its history and the Persian Language. Although Oriental Studies have been under pressure in the UK for economic reasons, and despite the interruption in contacts for a period because of the Revolution, there are many British scholars, young and old, who are working on academic research relating to Iran in a number of disciplines: from art history and archaeology, to history and the social sciences. The work is now increasingly carried out in conjunction with Iranian scholars.
BIPS currently sponsors a series of academic projects including studies in:
- The Darabgird Survey
- Sasanian coins
- Pre-Mongol architecture
- Iranian steelworking techniques
- Afzal al-tavarikh of Fazli Isfahani
- Survey of stone lion tombs
- The Williamson Collections at the Ashmolean Museum
London office:
The British Institute of Persian Studies
The British Academy
10 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AH
Tel: 020 7969 5203
Fax: 020 7969 5401
Email:mailto:bips@britac.ac.uk
Tehran office:
Qolhak
Khiaban-e Dr Ali Shariati
PO Box 11365-844
Tehran
Tel: (009821) 2260 1937
Fax: (009821) 2260 4901
Email: bips@parsonline.net