Khalili Research Centre

Khalili Research Centre. It is a leading academic institution at the University of Oxford dedicated to the advanced study of the material culture of the Islamic world. Founded through the patronage of the scholar and collector Nasser D. Khalili, the centre promotes interdisciplinary research bridging art history, archaeology, and history. Its work is integral to the Faculty of Oriental Studies and collaborates closely with other institutions like the Ashmolean Museum and the Bodleian Libraries.

History

The centre was established in 2005 following a major benefaction from Nasser D. Khalili, a renowned collector and scholar of Islamic art. Its creation was formally approved by the University of Oxford's Congregation, integrating it into the university's structure. The first director was Professor Jeremy Johns, a leading expert in the archaeology of the Islamic Mediterranean, who helped define its interdisciplinary mission. From its inception, it was designed to complement existing resources at Oxford, such as the Ashmolean Museum's Islamic art holdings and the manuscript collections of the Bodleian Libraries.

Collections and research

The centre curates and studies significant collections, including the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, one of the most comprehensive private assemblies of its kind, encompassing works from Spain to China. Research focuses on objects ranging from Qur'an manuscripts and Persian miniatures to ceramics, textiles, and metalwork. Key projects have included the study of Mamluk enamelled glass, Safavid carpets, and the archaeology of early Islamic settlements. It frequently collaborates with the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art on technical analysis and provenance research.

Publications and exhibitions

The centre produces a robust series of scholarly publications, most notably the "Khalili Research Centre Series" published by Oxford University Press. These volumes include catalogues raisonnés and studies on topics like Umayyad architecture and Ottoman calligraphy. Its research has been showcased in major international exhibitions at venues such as the British Library, the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. These exhibitions often travel globally, bringing works from the Khalili Collection to audiences in Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Academic programmes

It plays a central role in postgraduate education at the University of Oxford, primarily through the MSt and DPhil programmes in Islamic Art and Archaeology. The centre supervises doctoral theses on diverse subjects, from Fatimid Egypt to Mughal India. It hosts regular research seminars, public lectures, and an annual lecture series that has featured prominent scholars like Robert Hillenbrand and Sheila S. Blair. The centre also awards postdoctoral fellowships and research associateships, fostering the next generation of specialists who often take up positions at institutions like Harvard University and the University of Cambridge.

Significance and impact

The centre is globally recognized as a preeminent hub for the study of Islamic art and archaeology, significantly shaping the academic discipline. Its integration of object-based study with historical and philological research sets a benchmark for the field. The accessibility of the Khalili Collection for scholarly study has led to numerous groundbreaking publications that have redefined understanding of periods like the Abbasid Caliphate and the Ilkhanate. Through its exhibitions and public engagement, it has substantially enhanced global appreciation for the cultural heritage of the Islamic world, influencing museum practices and curatorial approaches worldwide.

Category:University of Oxford Category:Islamic art Category:Research institutes in the United Kingdom Category:Organisations based in Oxford