Institute of International Affairs University of Iceland

The role of the Institute of International Affairs (IIA) is to provide education, promote research, and carry out service projects in the field of international relations. It aspires to serve both academic and professional needs and stimulate a general discussion on subjects relating to international affairs. To this end, the Institute plans and carries out research on various subjects and hosts conferences, seminars, and lectures concerning international affairs. It offers various services to both the private and public sector, conducting surveys, writing reports, and carrying out research on a range of topics. It publishes books and papers on international relations and Icelandic foreign affairs. International cooperation and interdisciplinary discussions are important factors in the work of the IIA. Over one hundred scholars with various types of expertise participate in the work of the IIA, CAS and the CSSS, and the institutes have ties to a number of foreign research bodies. The IIA is a forum for dialogue between the academic community, the private sector, and public service in the area of international relations. The Institute of International Affairs was established in 1990 but was expanded and re-structured with the creation of the Centre for Small State Studies in 2001. The Centre for Arctic Studies was launched in March 2013. The Institute and the Centres are supervised by a joint Steering Board. All three are housed within the University of Iceland’s School of Social Sciences but with close links to the School of Humanities. Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre is the newest addition to the Institute of International Affairs and it was established in October 2016.