The Institute of Religious Studies or Instituto de Estudos da Religiao, ISER, is a civil society organization of a secular nature, dedicated to the promotion of human rights and democracy. Founded during the 1970s in Brazil, it aims to promote studies, research and social intervention hinged on various thematic axes of Brazilian society, such as public security, the environment, religious diversity, and the defense and guarantee of human rights, among others.

Over the course of its more than 40 years in existence, ISER has been attentive and sensitive to the fundamental social demands and tendencies in this period in Brazilian history, and, sometimes, in the international context, frequently facing the challenge of changing times without, however, changing the essence and profile of the institution, always committed to an innovative, inclusive, critical and transforming character.

ISER accompanied the development of Brazilian social movements, revolving around the fight for human rights, encompassing a number of specific issues like the combat against racism and sexism, the defense of the rights of women, the homeless, young people, and the protection of the environment, among others.

Since the beginning ISER has been made up of a group of researchers, scientists and scholars that share interest and commitment in the development of diverse investigations, especially at the interface between society and religion. As a result of these efforts, various publications have been produced over the years, for example Cadernos do ISER, a journal that endeavors to debate theoretical approaches regarding the issue of religion in Brazilian social science. In the same vein, the journal Comunicações do ISER, which has been in existence since 1981, publicizes research and projects carried out by ISER’s scholars of the institute and associated researchers.