The house and its history
Why – and how – was an Institute for Advanced Studies established in the building at the intersection of Biskopsgatan and Sölvegatan in Lund? Why is it called the Pufendorf Institute? What activities have been in the building before? Can you also hold your meetings here?
In 2007, Professor Sture Forsén proposed the idea to establish an "Institute for Advanced Studies" at Lund University. The proposal was approved the same year by the University Management and was established by the then Vice-Chancellor Göran Bexell in December 2008. It was named the Pufendorf Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) – or the Pufendorf Institute.
The aim of the institute was to:
promote collaboration within Lund University and constitute an open, creative, multidisciplinary environment where researchers will gather in free discussions.
The Pufendorf Institute was named after Professor Samuel von Pufendorf (1632 – 1694), Lund University’s first “strategic recruitment”. His work and “profile” spanned over wide knowledge fields and Samuel von Pufendorf’s name is therefore well suited as the name of an interdisciplinary institute.
Read more about Samuel Pufendorf's turbulent stay in Lund:
Sketch of the Pufendorf Institute, which was completed in 1886. The architect was Henrik Sjöström, a pupil of Helgo Zettervall. In 1971, the house became a listed building.
A building with academic history since 1886
An institute feels needs a physical building. In the spring of 2008, the Pufendorf Institute found a home: The building "Classicum" from 1886 was closed after housing the Museum of Antiquities and the Department of Ancient History, and before that the Department of Physics (until 1951). After a generous grant from the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, the building was thoroughly renovated and in May 2009 the Pufendorf Institute was inaugurated on the corner of Sölvegatan and Biskopsgatan in Lund.
Old Physicum 1886-1951
Classicum 1951-2008
Activities in the house – do you want to be here too?
In addition to our own interdisciplinary research groups, Themes and Advanced Study Groups, our new programme for researchers curious about interdisciplinarity, Pufendorf Academy, events linked to International Fellows, guests and our alumni network, we are happy to welcome you here as well!
Our premises are excellent for events, meetings, lectures and workshops.
Read more about which rooms we rent out and how to book a venue at the Pufendorf Institute – an oasis in everyday academic life.
Booking a venue at the Pufendorf IAS | The Pufendorf Institute for Advanced Studies
Open house during Culture Night (Kulturnatten)
During Kulturnatten, Culture Night, in Lund every year in September, we open the house to the public and arrange guided tours in both Swedish and English. Visit our Swedish website for this year’s programme: