The 2014-15 IAS Fellowship scheme is now open to recruitment. Closing date 09 June 2013. See additional details here.

Welcome

The Institute of Advanced Study was established in October 2006 to mark the 175th anniversary of Durham University. It is a prestigious, ideas-based Institute which brings together some of the world’s finest researchers from every discipline to examine themes of major intellectual, scientific, political and practical significance. At least twenty fellows per annum are based in Cosin's Hall (a beautiful 18th Century, Grade 1 listed mansion house, situated on Palace Green - a designated World Heritage site) for up to three months, working with Durham scholars to spark these investigations, set tomorrow's agenda and participate in a varied programme of activities. The Institute also serves as a top-level forum, enabling key-decision makers and experts to discuss pressing policy problems in an intellectually stimulating and unrestricted manner.

There are many ways to participate in the life and work of the institute: through the fellowship scheme, by developing new themes, activities and events, by devising follow-on research activities, by supporting our work financially, or simply by enjoying and engaging with the many and varied outputs of the Institute. The IAS is an invitation to help build capacity, realise potential, and meet the challenge of a changing world. We warmly welcome your involvement.

2012-13: Time 

We live in an age acutely conscious of time: its passing and acceleration, its measurement and regulation, its evolutionary dynamic, its future promise, its own timing.  Through this consciousness seems to run a thread of compulsion - a compulsion to master the clockwork of time, understand its rhythms, put it to most efficient use, direct its flow, grasp its provenance.  Time has taken on the property of a thing or process that can be grasped and made to work in certain ways.  But what exactly is time, and does it have the properties we think it has?  What meanings of time have come to prevail in our age, and how do they shape human endeavour, being and aspiration?  How does the arrow of time fly, and how has its flight been tracked in the past?  Is it possible to imagine a future organised without clock-time as anything other than as a train that is either on track or derailed?

‘Time’ is the Institute’s theme for 2012-13, interpreted in its broadest sense – scientifically, symbolically, philosophically, literarily, politically and sociologically. This is a theme for scientists and social scientists, scholars in the arts and humanities, historians, theorists and practitioners, artists, and policymakers, and opinion formers. The body of work associated with the theme will address issues of major contemporary and intellectual interest  and we encourage colleagues, collaborators and those interested in connecting with the Institute to contact us for further information or our visting Fellows, or specific colleagues involved in the Time sub-themes.  For more about our subtheme and activities….

Time a conversation with Prof Douglas Davies

Views: 75

As part of the its 'Time' theme year the Institute of Advanced Study publishes a series of 'conversations' with academics across the faculties and visiting Fellows.

Watch more.

EVENTS

Annual IAS London Event 2013 - 'Timed Out: evolving to extinction' - 26 June 2013, London

The Institute of Advanced Study brings together a panel of leading thinkers to discuss the intellectual, practical and ethical issues raised by humankind’s effects on evolutionary time. For more information please click here.

Watch or Listen to previous Events

Unable to attend recent IAS events?  A number of lectures have been recorded here.

STOP PRESS

Calendars and Festivals Public Lecture

Please note event date change for the Calendars and Festivals Public Lecture on 20 February 2013 to a rescheduled date of 15 May 2013. Further details available here