The Academic Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism
The Academic Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism (ANSIE) is an interdisciplinary network for the exchange of knowledge and understandings among scholars who work on Islam, esotericism, and mysticism.
ANSIE covers all forms of Islam, esotericism, and mysticism, especially texts, practices, and material culture. The phrase “Islam and Esotericism” used in ANSIE’s name recognizes that while there are forms of esotericism and mysticism that may properly be qualified as “Islamic,” there are also important phenomena that are connected to Islam without being strictly Islamic.
ANSIE arranges conferences (see here) and workshops, and collects and disseminates information on recent publications, calls, job opportunities, etc.
ANSIE was previously known as ENSIE, the European Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism. The name was changed in 2026 to reflect the way that the network was evolving beyond its European origins, and so now is inclusive of global scholars.
About us
ANSIE is registered as a voluntary association under Danish law (number 43555138) and is managed by a board consisting of:
- Mark Sedgwick, Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies, Aarhus University (president).
- Liana Saif, Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam (secretary); secretary@ansie.org.
- Fârès Gillon, Senior Lecturer, Université d’Aix-Marseille (treasurer).
- Antonio de Diego González, Assistant Professor, University of Malaga.
- Eyad Abuali, Lecturer, King's College London.
- Jannis Kostelnik, PhD student, Hamburg University.
- M. Shobhana Xavier, Assistant Professor, Queen's University, Canada.
The Articles of Association of ENSIE are available here.