Intellectual History Research Group

The Intellectual History Research Group at Edinburgh brings together staff and students from across the School and the University who are interested in the history of ideas from antiquity to the recent past.

Intellectual History at the University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh has one of the largest concentrations of intellectual historians of any university in the UK. We have particular strengths in modern global intellectual history, early modern European thought, and the history of knowledge. We have also had significant success in obtaining external funding for research in intellectual history.

We have a large and vibrant community of graduate students who are working on a wide range of topics in intellectual history. We also organise work-in-progress seminars for PhD students and members of staff, as well as occasional lectures from scholars within and outwith Edinburgh. The Group is also on Bluesky. You can find out more about the seminars and follow the Group at the links below.

International Society for Intellectual History and Intellectual History Review

Several members of the Intellectual History Research Group are active in the International Society for Intellectual History. Professor Thomas Ahnert and Dr Richard Oosterhoff are two of the editors of the Society’s peer-reviewed journal, Intellectual History Review. 

If you would like to find out more about research and teaching in intellectual history at Edinburgh, please email Professor Ahnert.

Further information

If you would like to find out more about research and teaching in intellectual history at Edinburgh, please email Professor Ahnert.