ISOR research group was founded in 1974 by Prof Joan Estruch Gibert, and it was the first university research group aimed at studying religion from a sociological perspective in Catalonia and Spain. ISOR current director is Dr Mar Griera, who is associate professor at the Sociology department and also an ICREA Academia awardee (2021-26). During its forty plus years of existence, ISOR has been leader in research on issues broadly related to religion and culture. ISOR’s current principal research lines are the following: (a) Religion and Politics; (b) Religion, Science and Health; (c) Lived Religion; (d) Heritage, memory and community.

The group is currently carrying out an important number of research projects, characterised by a strong theoretical grounding combined with an empirical dimension. ISOR is also renowned for promoting scientific exchange, for providing support and mentorship to early-career scholars and for its many collaborations with international researcher centers.

Maria del Mar Griera Llonch