Centre for the Study of Contemporary Muslim Societies

The Centre for the Study of Contemporary Muslim Societies resides within the School of Social Sciences and Psychology.

It was established in 2009 at UWS under the umbrella of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies (opens in a new window). This National Centre brings together the University of Melbourne, Griffith University and the University of Western Sydney and aims to develop research programs that will advance Australian and international understanding of Islam and promote harmony and cultural inclusiveness.

By focusing on the study of Muslim communities and how they fit into and adapt to secular societies, the UWS Centre for the Study of Contemporary Muslim Societies (CSCMS) adds an important dimension to the research profile of the National Centre and is a reflection of the University's ongoing commitment to building greater understanding and cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim people.

In addition to research activities, the Centre also contributes to postgraduate teaching and research in the University with the aim of building a distinctive group of young scholars working broadly within the social sciences and humanities on research topics relating to religion, multiculturalism and post-secularism.

Independently from the CSCMS, but still under the same umbrella of the National Centre, in 2008 the University established a new undergraduate program in Islamic Studies at UWS which is housed in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts.