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Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies

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Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies

Institute

iacchos | Louvain-la-Neuve

Our Mission

The IACCHOS Institute aims to produce leading scientific research on the issue of social change. Its mission is to carry out multidisciplinary research rooted in the humanities and social sciences, addressing the most critical questions concerning the evolution of societies.

Our Vision

Through its work, the Institute seeks to contribute to the development of a democratic society that grounds its reflexivity in established and critical knowledge - constantly questioning social phenomena and the transformations of practices, institutions, regulations, imaginaries, and representations that underpin social life in both contemporary and past societies, across the Global North and South. We aspire to research focused on understanding social phenomena through cross-disciplinary perspectives and pluralist knowledge.

Our Values

Several core values underpin our vision of research:

  • Commitment to pluralism within the social sciences

  • Adherence to the highest standards of scientific rigour

  • Respect for ethical principles

  • Promotion of dialogue between scientific knowledge and practical action

  • Accessibility of our research findings

  • Contribution to public debate

IACCHOS in Figures

Our History


2010 – Establishment of the IACCHOS Institute

The Institute was founded as the result of a concerted initiative by ten research centres in the social sciences at UCLouvain, brought together by a shared commitment to the critical study of social change. Conceived as a confederation, the Institute was designed to safeguard the academic autonomy of each constituent centre, while simultaneously fostering a robust and sustained collaborative dynamic.

Our Governance Framework

A confederal structure, based on the principle that research centres are the primary sites of knowledge production, while the Institute’s role is to support and enhance their activities;
A collegial decision-making process, conducted through the Institute’s Executive Council, which meets once a month and is composed of the directors of all affiliated research centres, along with representatives of the academic staff and the Institute’s coordinator;
A centralised and cross-cutting range of services designed to support research centres in areas beyond their individual capacities, including: logistical support for research activities (IACCHOS HUB), editorial assistance, journal management, event organisation, and the administration of major research contracts;
Shared governance rules, particularly with regard to budgetary matters (such as the redistribution of two-thirds of operational funding back to the centres, and targeted support for researchers’ publication and translation efforts, with a focus on fostering interdisciplinary and inter-centre synergies);
Finally, dedicated Institute-led activities, including welcome and support sessions for early-career researchers, the organisation of a biennial conference, and an ongoing series of “major lectures” in collaboration with student associations.

2017 – Launch of Sociétés en Changement

In March 2017, IACCHOS published the first issue of its science outreach magazine Sociétés en Changement, featuring a thematic dossier exploring the question: “Has work become unsustainable?” Bringing together contributions from several researchers affiliated with the Institute’s centres, this issue reflected the Institute’s core values : making critical and pluralistic analyses of major societal challenges accessible to a wide audience. Over the years, Sociétés en Changement has become a key showcase of the interdisciplinary work carried out by Institute members, contributing meaningfully to public debate on topics such as work, migration, family, and the environment.

2020 – Responding to the Pandemic: A Mobilisation of the Social Sciences

The Covid-19 crisis marked a pivotal moment in the history of our Institute. It highlighted both the relevance and the adaptability of the social sciences in the face of profound societal upheaval. During this period, many IACCHOS members actively mobilised to offer in-depth analyses and to engage in public discourse, contributing significantly to the understanding of the pandemic’s many dimensions.

Today – A Growing Community

IACCHOS now brings together 11 research centres and 3 research groups, forming a community of over 280 researchers united by an interdisciplinary approach to contemporary societal challenges.