The ICSRU (Islamic Cultures and Societies Research Unit) is a trans-disciplinary network for all those at Aarhus University who are interested in Islamic cultures and societies, both in the Islamic world and transregionally. This means that the network also covers Islam and Muslims in the West, notably Europe and Denmark.
The area of interest of the network is defined in terms of a region (the Arab world) and a religion (Islam), but this does not mean that the network is only interested in the the Arab world and in the study of religion. There is a focus on the study of Islam, but there is also interest in the study of phenomena unrelated to religion, especially from the perspective of political science.
As well as a focus on the study of Islam, there is a focus on modern and contemporary phenomena, and on those that are transregional, but again this is not exclusive.
The central mission of the network is to provide a stimulating research milieu for both senior and junior researchers by promoting discussion and exchange. In addition, the network provides a forum for generating and carrying through group research projects. Finally, the network backs Aarhus University’s teaching, notably in the degree programs in Arab and Islamic Studies, but also in other relevant programs.
