South Asia Institute
The South Asia Institute is Europe’s leading center for South Asian Studies with an active international research network and an outstanding library. As a central academic institution within Heidelberg University, the South Asia Institute today has seven professorships, namely Anthropology, Development Economics, Geography, History, Cultural and Religious History of South Asia (formerly Classical Indology), Modern South Asian Languages and Literatures (formerly Modern Indology) as well as Political Science. With our branch offices in several South Asian countries, and many visiting scholars from all over the world, we provide an environment for interdisciplinary applied learning and research.
Structure of the SAI
The SAI is strongly characterized by its diverse environment that is not simply a stand in phrase but reverberates through the student and staff body, is reflected in the research output, and the reason so many scholars from are drawn to the SAI. The seven departments frame the overarching fields of research and encourage interdisciplinary approaches to big questions. With the branches that are in New Delhi and Kathmandu, as well as numerous visiting researchers alone strongly mark the SAI as an international work environment, which it further ameliorated by the multinational student body. The Scientific Advisory Council ensures a consistently high standard.
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Statement on Fair Conduct at the South Asia Institute
The South Asia Institute aims to create a collegial and rich academic environment for researchers, staff, guests and students alike. Accordingly, the SAI has committed to a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, including sexual and gender-based harassment, but also discrimination, bullying and stalking.
Departments and Branches
The seven departments of the SAI are Anthropology, Development Economics, Geography, History of South Asia, Cultural and Religious History of South Asia (formerly Classical Indology), Modern South Asian Languages and Literatures (formerly Modern Indology) and Political Science.
Bridge Chairs
Apart from the South Asia Institute a number of chairs at Heidelberg University focus on South Asia. The holders of these chairs are affiliated members of the South Asia Institute. As such they cooperate closely and in different ways in teaching as well as research with their colleagues at SAI.
Scientific Advisory Council
The Institute's Scientific Advisory Board, consisting of seven members, is appointed for a period of four years. These are internationally renowned colleagues from a wide range of disciplines who are in a position to assess the disciplinary diversity of the SAI in a relevant manner. The Scientific Advisory Board has an advisory function towards the rectorate in SAI matters.
Visiting Scholars
The SAI hosts visiting scholars from South Asian countries whose research expertise and knowledge enhances its programs as well as student and academic life. In particular, the SAI has a long tradition of hosting guest professorships funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg as well as governments from South Asia.
