Biennial Iranian studies Conferences

“Our conferences are designed to strategically enable the next generation of talent in Iranian studies, enhancing already excellent academic credentials by equipping participants with further knowhow and the supportive peer context needed to thrive.”

— Armin Yavari, Founding Chair

Our method

Symposia Iranica is the largest gathering of early career researchers in Iranian studies worldwide. We welcome postgraduate students and postdocs who work on any period, geographical location or methodology across the arts, humanities and social sciences.

The abstract is the basis for judging an individual paper or panel proposal for acceptance. All abstracts undergo double-blind peer review by a committee of three or four academics in each discipline. If accepted, academics will group individually submitted papers into panels, with the expectation that some sessions will be interdisciplinary. Panel chairs are selected from amongst our circa 30 academic invitees.

Our promise

Our promise to participants and grant givers alike is to dedicate every penny we raise towards subsidising the full economic cost of participation for our early career speakers. In 2019, this subsidy was 74% and it has averaged at least 67% since the inaugural Symposia Iranica in 2013.

The organisers cover their own expenses, administrative overheads, and make monetary contributions of their own which have averaged at a fifth of overall costs.

What are the SHAPE disciplines?

all branches of history (from prehistory to the present) and historiography
languages, literature and philology
law, economics and social history
media and journalism
music
natural history and the environment
philosophy
politics and international relations
cultural and behavioural psychology
theology, divinity and religion
comparative themes and interdisciplinary approaches are also very welcome.

archaeology
art, visual arts, architecture and design
conservation and heritage studies
creative and performing arts
cultural and museum studies
development studies and human geography
diaspora studies, demography and social statistics
drama and theatre studies
economics and management
education, social anthropology and linguistics
gender studies and sociology

What is SHAPE? SHAPE is a collective name coined by the British Academy and UKRI in 2020 as an equivalent to STEM. It stands for ‘Social Sciences Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy’.

Overlapping area studies include:

Kurdish studies
Levantine studies
Middle East studies
Near Eastern studies
Silk Road studies
Slavic studies
South Asian studies
Turkology

Anatolian studies
Asian studies
Byzantine studies
Caucasus studies
Central Asian studies
East Asian studies
Eurasian studies
Hellenic studies

An average of 94% would highly recommend Symposia Iranica or apply again

In 2012, we set out with a mission to create a network that caters specifically to the interests of early career scholars in Iranian studies. Unlike other models in higher education where representation is by a minor elective role or graduate sections are subsidiaries of larger enterprises, Symposia Iranica’s unique focus means we can dedicate 100% of our efforts to serving this group, executing our aims authentically and with initiative, diligence and finesse.

92% rated their experience excellent or very good

We take feedback seriously and have trialled or implemented more than 100 suggestions for improvement on everything from the conference book to catering and communications to academic breadth.

91% rated our conferences extremely or v. organised

On average, we spend more than 1,500 hours across annual leave and spare time organising Symposia Iranica and we are thrilled to have consistently met high expectations year on year. We get better to help you be better.