ReSIA – Research Seminar in Islamic Art
ReSIA is an international and interdisciplinary forum for presenting and debating cutting-edge research on the visual arts and intellectual history of the Islamic world.
ReSIA was founded in 2003 to promote innovative research in the arts, architecture, and archaeology of the Islamic lands, including their connections with other cultures, and is convened, by Anna Contadini, Professor of the History of Islamic Art. It provides a much-needed space where scholars and students have the opportunity to re-examine current orthodoxies and test fresh ideas, thus stimulating critical debate within a decolonising framework.
From the beginning, ReSIA has encouraged new approaches to research, not only on historical and contemporary aspects of the arts of the Islamic lands but also on intellectual history. It is a platform for established as well as younger researchers and has often bridged the gap between history and art by bringing together art historians and artists.
Seminars may present new projects at an initial stage, work in progress, and recently completed research. Usually a monthly event, ReSIA sometimes takes the form of thematically linked workshops where the international community can put new approaches and ideas up for discussion.
ReSIA attracts an audience of scholars and students across the world who engage in lively debate during the typically long question-and-answer session that follows the presentation. Sessions are usually recorded and uploaded to the dedicated ReSIA YouTube channel for wider dissemination.
Participation in ReSIA is free. Information is circulated through the ReSIA mailing list and the SOAS website.
