The study of the Ismaili Shiʿi interpretations of Islam in the western academy, at its origins, was located in European sectarian constructions and based on Sunni heresiographies resulting in fantastical depictions of heresy and depravity. Over the past 100 years through the pioneering efforts of a few scholars, including those at the University of Chicago, this area of research has now become one of the most coherent and contiguously identifiable approaches to the study of Islamicate communities. Despite a sizable and significant production of scholarship there has never been a conference examining the state of the field. This Conference will bring together leading scholars in Ismaili studies with students, academics in other fields and interested members of the community.

1. ◆To examine the field by assessing the areas of progress made in past decades
   

2. ◆To chart vectors and approaches of current scholarship and explore priorities and needs for future studies
   

3. ◆To place the study of Ismaili interpretations specifically and Shiʿi Islam generally within the wider inter-disciplinary scholarship on Islam and religion
   

The scope of Ismaili studies encompasses some 1400 years of Islamicate histories, thought, practices, demographies and cultures. Rather than approach these in atomised fashion based on periodisation or geography, the Conference will put experts across disciplines along with young researchers into conversations focused around cross-cutting conceptual themes. The Ismaili Studies Conference is a two day conference around five thematic panels allowing significant time for discussions and engagement between world-recognised academics, researchers, students and other participants.

ISC is part of a three-day event and is followed by the Islamicate Studies Symposium. Which culminates with an evening program -- part of Humanities Day -- consisting of: a presentation of Mosque Alert by Silk Road Rising followed by the Keynote Address and ends with a musical performance organised by Wanees Zarour director of the Middle East Music Ensemble.