The Avicenna Study Center (ASC), part of the Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB:AI), is an internationally oriented hub dedicated to exploring the life, philosophy, and enduring influence of Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā, d. 428/1037). As a one-of-a-kind institution worldwide, it offers an inspiring environment for scholars at all academic levels – from students and doctoral candidates to postdoctoral researchers and distinguished experts from around the globe.
The ASC serves as a dynamic meeting point for researchers seeking to engage with Avicenna’s work through a philologically grounded and historically informed lens. Alongside foundational philological research, the center fosters innovative methodologies and promotes the use of cutting-edge digital tools in the humanities. Its mission is to generate outstanding research outcomes on Avicenna while encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges philosophical, historical, and cultural perspectives.
Providing essential infrastructure for both long-term research projects and short-term research stays, the ASC collaborates with international partner institutions and interdisciplinary networks such as the Avicenna Study Group (ASG). The ASC regularly hosts workshops, conferences, and other events that serve as dynamic platforms for international exchange, the presentation of groundbreaking research, and the discussion of contemporary scholarly developments in Avicenna studies. Researchers are welcome to design their projects and events in dialogue with the team and utilize the ASC as an institutional home for their initiatives.
As an integral part of the Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, the ASC benefits from the institute’s extensive library, offering a rich collection of primary sources and secondary literature on Avicenna and his intellectual milieu. ASC fellows and visiting scholars also benefit from access to specialized collections of related disciplines, including classical philology, philosophy, the history of science, and historical studies, alongside innovative digital tools developed for and by the center itself. These resources support top-tier academic research and encourage the exploration of new thematic connections.
The ASC intends to play a pivotal role in deepening our understanding of Avicenna’s thought and underscoring the significance of Arabic-Islamic intellectual heritage in contemporary societies. It strives to highlight Avicenna’s relevance beyond academic circles, emphasizing his lasting impact as one of history’s most influential figures. Through its contributions to the global research community, the ASC showcases the societal importance of humanities scholarship.
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IT & DH Support
Cover page of the famous Leiden manuscript or. 4 of Avicenna’s main work al-Šifāʾ. (image provided by Leiden University Library)
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Last update: Mar 06, 2026