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 works to create dialogue, spark ideas and sustain academic research on Catholic thought, creative imagination and lived experience.
IACS supports scholars and artists, produces books, hosts academic conferences and cultural events, and furthers the intellectual work of the Catholic Church.
“Beauty at Work” with Brandon Vaidyanathan, Ph.D.
Unleashing the Power of Ideas
Humanizing Networks: Human Fraternity in the Digital Age
Stories, commentary and reflections
Our Impact
IACS supports scholars and creative artists in high-impact programs that strengthen the intellectual vitality of universities.
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Scholars supported
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Books with leading publishers
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Academic conferences and cultural events in the U.S. and Europe
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IACS on Instagram
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.
IACS President Richard Wood, Ph.D., studied chemistry, worked as a biochemist, and has conducted ethnographic research across Latin America and the U.S.
Today, he is a renowned sociologist, accomplished academic and respected university leader.
His journey has taken him from a rural village outside Cuernavaca, Mexico to the hallowed halls of the University of Southern California, where he leads an institute with a growing global footprint and an ambitious mission.
Read more about our new president at https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/richard-wood-usc-dornsife-catholic-studies-institute/
Renowned muralist and educator Fabian Debora recently opened the doors of Homeboy Art Academy in Boyle Heights to IACS Pesident Rich Wood, and USC Dornsife Professor of Art History Lisa Pon, where they witnessed the transformative power of art and education.
The visit was part of CHARM, a new initiative at USC bringing together faculty, staff and students from across our university to partner on projects and events on campus and in our communities.
Learn more about CHARM at charm.havencreative.org.
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.
Fostering dialogue and finding solutions
IACS has an extensive record of finding solutions that tackle our world’s most pressing challenges.
Our Journey of Faith, Knowledge and Discovery
Reach Out
For questions and inquiries, please email iacs@usc.edu or call us at (213) 740-1864
Visit Us
Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC
3601 Watt Way, GFS 304
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1693
Who We Are
Meet the IACS team