About the Institute

Research within ICOG brings together a wide range of Humanities disciplines, which study a variety of facets in cultures and societies from the Classical Antiquity to the present day. The Institute's focus lies on Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, China, and South-East Asia.

ICOG is comprised of five Research Centres and is home to around 250 staff members. Around 175 PhD candidates are associated with the institute. The institute stimulates interdisciplinary research and collaboration between its Research Centres, as well as between some of the University of Groningen’s faculties.

In the external assessment of 2016 ICOG scored very well (very good) on research quality, relevance to society, and viability. A new assessment committee in 2021 reaffirmed this confidence in ICOG and it's continuing upward trajectory.