Faculty of Humanities
University of Amsterdam

Research

Developing new knowledge about the complexities of Western culture

The mission

The HHP Centre is devoted to critical historical and empirical research in the study of esotericism, or, as the name of our Centre goes, the History of Hermetic philosophy and related currents. Our research covers the entire history of esotericism, from Mediterranean antiquity to the present. Reflecting the field’s interdisciplinary nature, our researchers work from perspectives ranging from history of science and intellectual history to religious studies and art history. As part of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam, our research falls under the umbrella of the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH). Apart from its own research programme specifically devoted to esotericism, the HHP Centre also participates in the interdisciplinary research group on Religious Dynamics and Cultural Diversity.

Facilities

The presence in Amsterdam of the famous Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, situated at the Embassy of the Free Mind, and of the rich material of the Amsterdam University Library’s Special Collections (Bijzondere Collecties) provides important research facilities for our staff.

The HHP’s strong emphasis on historical research into primary sources is perfectly matched by these libraries and collections.

Journals, book series, and international activities

The European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE) was founded in 2005. The staff at the HHP Centre participated in the foundation and continues to be deeply involved with the further development of this international learned society. Our staff has also been instrumental in setting up and running the leading peer-reviewed journal devoted to esotericism, Aries, and the Aries Book Series, both published by Brill under the auspices of the ESSWE. The HHP Centre is thus an intrinsic part of a larger international network that promotes, creates and distributes peer-reviewed academic research in the interdisciplinary field of esotericism.

HHP Centre is part of the University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH)

As part of the University of Amsterdam, our research falls under the umbrella of the  Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) at the Faculty of Humanities.

Religious Dynamics and Cultural Diversity research group

As part of the Religious Studies unit the HHP centre participates in the interdisciplinary research group on Religious Dynamics and Cultural Diversity.

Facilities

The presence in Amsterdam of the famous Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, situated in the Embassy of the Free Mind, and of the rich material of the Amsterdam University Library’s Special Collections (Bijzondere Collecties) provides important research facilities for our staff. The HHP’s strong emphasis on historical research of primary sources is greatly advanced by these libraries and collections.

Journals, book series, and international activities​

The HHP centre is an intrinsic part of a larger international network that promotes, creates and distributes peer-reviewed academic research in the interdisciplinary field of Western esotericism.

ESSWE

The European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE) was founded in Amsterdam in 2005, the staff at the HHP centre continues to be deeply involved with the further development of this international learned society.

Book series

Our staff has also been instrumental in setting up and running the leading peer-reviewed journal devoted to Western esotericism, Aries, and the Aries Book Series – both published by Brill under the auspices of the ESSWE.

Current research projects & completed PhD dissertations at the HHP Centre

Researchers

Current research projects at the HHP Centre

PhD dissertations

An overview of dissertations completed at the HHP centre.

Would you to like to get in contact with our researchers or get more information about research at the HHP Centre?

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