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IIS contributors photographed at the conference

This year's conference, organised by the Society for Iranian Studies with support from the Association for the study of Persianate Societies and the Roshan Cultural Institute, included 50 panels and round-table sessions including more than 150 presentations as well as book and art exhibits and a film festival. International in appeal, the conference attracted participants from Armenia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Institute’s panel, “Esoteric Traditions in Iranian Islam” attracted a diverse audience and was followed by a lively discussion. In addition, the IIS hosted the main conference reception, taking the opportunity to outline its activities, programmes and publications to the Iranian Studies academic community.

The Society of Iranian Studies (SIS) was founded in 1967 to encourage and promote the international study of Iranian culture and society, including its history, language, literature and arts. In addition to publishing the Iranian Studies journal, the Society convenes the biennial “Conference on Iranian Studies” as well as organises special sessions at the annual Middle Eastern Studies Association of North America (MESA) meetings. It also awards the annual Saidi-Sirjani Memorial Book Award. At present, the offices of the secretariat and journal are housed at the Hagop Kevorkian Center at New York University.