The Global Islamic Studies Center (GISC) offers extraordinary depth in scholarship and instruction on Islam as a world religion, and Muslim peoples and societies. Over 50 faculty members from a wide array of departments and professional schools at the University of Michigan serve students, faculty, and the larger community by promoting the understanding of global Islamic culture through pioneering research, innovative instruction, and a commitment to building partnerships on campus and beyond.
Aliyah Khan is currently serving as the GISC Director. Center directors are appointed by the director of the International Institute in consultation with GISC faculty associates to a fixed term (typically three years). The GISC director leads programming and initiatives for the center and convenes meetings with the Steering Committee.
The GISC Steering Committee, led by the GISC director, meets year-round to discuss GISC’s mission, goals, curriculum, programming, and development.
Affiliated Faculty Associates include U-M permanent faculty, visiting faculty teaching or conducting research on issues of direct relevance to GISC, and frequent collaborators from units on campus such as libraries or museums. Are you a U-M faculty member interested in becoming affiliated with the Global Islamic Studies Center? If so, please contact us at IslamicStudies@umich.edu.
Our funding offers faculty Research and Conference Travel Grants. Funds may be used to pursue individual research projects domestically and internationally, or to attend/present research for a conference or workshop that explores topics in Islam and Muslim communities. Event Co-Sponsorship Awards may be used to support any event that promotes the understanding of global Islamic culture and Muslim societies worldwide.
Our programming brings in fellow leading faculty and scholars in the field. U-M faculty are welcomed and encouraged to attend these events. Do you know someone who would be a great guest speaker for GISC from another institution? If so, please send us speaker recommendations at IslamicStudies@umich.edu. All lectures and events are free and open to the public. Please visit our events page for a current list of activities.
