The British Institute for the Study of Iraq
(Gertrude Bell Memorial)

Welcome to the BISI (BSAI) Website (Arabic version here)*

The British Institute for the Study of Iraq (Gertrude Bell Memorial) was established as the British School of Archaeology in Iraq on 14 January 1932 to promote, support and undertake research in Iraq and neighbouring countries.

At the Annual General Meeting on 12 December 2007 its members approved a change in name to the British Institute for the Study of Iraq to reflect the widening remit of its work. The British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI) became a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales with company registration number 6966984 in July 2010 and the Charity Commission assigned a new Charity Number 1135395 effective 8 April 2010.

The Institute’s aim is to advance research and public education relating to Iraq and neighbouring countries in anthropology, archaeology, geography, history, languages and related disciplines within the arts, humanities and social sciences from the earliest times until the present.

BISI Activities

The Institute makes grants to promote, support and undertake research and public education relating to Iraq and neighbouring countries, for work not covered by other BASIS-sponsored institutions. The Institute’s publications include the results of excavations and other research, the annual academic journal IRAQ and a bi-annual Newsletter. The Institute organizes and supports a range of events, including lectures and study days, often at the British Academy in London but also elsewhere in the UK. Current activities and initiatives are described on the News, Events and Research pages.

In 2005 BSAI launched an Appeal for funds to assist Iraqis in rebuilding their heritage and to bring Iraqi scholars and heritage staff to the UK for training and research. If you wish to learn more about the Appeal and our Visiting Iraqi Fellows and Scholars Programme, please feel free to contact the BISI Administrator.

The Institute welcomes new members and membership is open to all. Details of how to join and membership options, including journals, are on the Join page.

Funding and Governance

The Institute is a charity and was funded in part by grant-in-aid from the British Academy until March 2009. It continues to receive British Academy administrative support and the use of Academy premises for the BISI office and events. The Institute receives an income from its own resources and endowment, and currently has over 700 subscribing members to its Journal IRAQ.

It is governed by a Council, which meets in London and is elected annually by the members, under Regulations approved by the original members in 1932 and revised in 2007. In 2009 further revisions were made to establish the charity as company limited by guarantee with a new memorandum and articles of association, which were approved by members at the 10 December 2009 AGM. The most recent published Annual Report and Accounts are available here.

The BISI office is located at the British Academy. Normal working days are Tuesday - Thursday weekly.

Corrections and amendments to the website are most gratefully received.

*The Arabic version of the home page is slightly different than the English version and will be updated as soon as all the governance matters dealing with the new Charity and its status as a company limited by guarantee are dealt with.