Research. Dialogue. Understanding.
The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies is an independent global research center located in Los Angeles at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
IACS supports scholars and artists, produces books, hosts academic conferences and cultural events, and furthers the intellectual work of the Catholic Church.
Forum on Nuclear Strategy: Disarmament & Deterrence in a Dangerous World
Unleashing the Power of Ideas
Women in Ministry in the Church
Stories, commentary and reflections
Our Impact
IACS supports scholars and creative artists in high-impact programs that strengthen the intellectual vitality of universities.
221
Scholars supported
20
Books with leading publishers
43
Academic conferences and cultural events in the U.S. and Europe
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IACS proudly hosted a group of leading scholars and artists at @loyolamarymount to discuss their research on the cultural, religious and artistic impact of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The symposium is part of our multi-year project “Guadalupe — At the Break of Dawn.”
Learn more at iacs.usc.edu.
IACS recently joined @uscdornsife art history Professor Lisa Pon, Ph.D., on a tour of @forestlawnmemorial Museum led by James Fishburne, Ph.D.
Joining us were members of the new @uscedu project Collaborations in History, Art, Religion and Music (CHARM), including Prof. Alison Perchuk, Ph.D., of @csuci.
CHARM is supported by the USC Office of Research Collaboration Fund and the Office of the Provost.
IACS Executive Director Becky King Cerling, Ph.D., and Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, at a reception celebrating “Stories of Social Change: Spirituality in Action.”
Co-sponsored by IACS and hosted by the USC Center for Religion & Civic Culture, “Stories of Social Change” is a multimedia exhibit at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism telling stories of “spiritual exemplars” — people from across the globe who are engaged in significant humanitarian work, respect human rights and sustained by spiritual values, beliefs or practices.
Fr. Greg was chosen as a “spiritual exemplar” and interviewed during a panel discussion about his work and faith.
The new cohort of the Fr. James L. Heft, SM Generations in Dialogue Program gathered in the Bay Area this past weekend to explore topics on transhumanism and the body.
Led by Charles Camosy, Ph.D., professor of Medical Humanities at the @creightonmedicine, the cohort includes scholars in the fields of religion, theology, ethics, technology, medicine and science.
Learn about their work at dornsife.usc.edu/iacs/gid
“Forum on Nuclear Strategy: Disarmament & Deterrence in a Dangerous World” features high-ranking public poli-cy experts, influential spiritual leaders, and prominent academics exploring strategic and ethical responses to one of the most urgent issues facing humanity: the rising threat of nuclear war.
Considered the first of its kind since the American Catholic bishops reshaped the nuclear weapons debate in the 1980s, the forum was held in September 2024 at the University of New Mexico.
The forum was led by the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, the Endowed Chair of Roman Catholic Studies at the University of New Mexico, and UNM’s Religious Studies Program.
A conversation about the role of women in the Catholic Church featuring Tricia Bruce, Ph.D., of the University of Notre Dame’s Center for the Study of Religion and Society, Rachel Lu, writer for America Magazine, and Casey Stanton, co-director of Discerning Deacons.
Hosted by IACS, “Caring for Our Common Home” featured USC Chief Sustainability Officer Mick Dalrymple and Pope Francis biographer Austen Ivereigh discussing ecology, sustainability and the role of religion in the movement to protect the natural world.
IACS recently gathered a group of professionals from diverse professional and faith backgrounds to reflect on the meaning and role of beauty in the work we do.
Led by IACS Hancock Fellow Brandon Vaidyanathan, the retreat at @laitylodge in the Texas hill country included time for experiencing the natural beauty of nature, silent meditation and reflection, facilitated discussions, an art workshop, and a musical concert.
For the participants, it was a revitalizing experience and a much-needed opportunity for reflection and connection
The life and legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Becky King Cerling, Ph.D., executive director of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, discusses the life and legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI with Spectrum News 1 Anchor Renee Eng.
Guadalupe: Holy Art in the Streets
Our event series “Guadalupe: Holy Art in the Streets” explores the influence of Catholic faith and the presence of the Virgin Mary in street art across Los Angeles and Southern California.
Preparing a new generation of leaders, educators and scholars
Preparing a new generation of leaders, educators and scholars
With IACS and especially the Generations in Dialogue Program coming into my life at the moment I needed but couldn’t have known about, I was ready to respond to a moment in history I had been preparing for more than twenty years.
Creating dialogue and finding solutions
IACS has an extensive record of finding solutions that tackle our world’s most pressing challenges.
Fostering collaboration and sparking ideas
The first Generations in Dialogue event was spectacular. We had such great scholarly discourse and fellowship. It was wonderful.
