A reflection on the contexts and motivations of establishing humanities research institutions in Iran from 1965 to 1979

The establishment of humanities research institutions in Iran was historically slow as their numbers could not reach to that of the fingers of one hand by the 1960s. But in the last decade of Pahlavi's rule, more than 10 institutes and research centers were established in various fields of humanities. Undoubtedly, their emergence was neither accidental nor deliberate. The question arises as why did suddenly so many humanities research institutes emerge in Iran? The current study was carried out using the historical studies method. In this method, first, the required historical data were gathered from the main sources, archival documents and researches and then analyzed in order to provide a new account on causes and process behind the establishment of institutions between 1960s and 1970s, out of which, the Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences was formed. The article, with a brief insight into the developments in Iran after the White Revolution, finally comes to the conclusion that the reason behind the establishment of various research institutions was due to complex problems in the process of modernization, which made the Iranian government subject to contradictions between reforms and repression on the one hand and social and identity conflicts on the other. Since universities had an educational approach, they were practically unable to respond to the country's research needs. Therefore, humanities research institutes could help the government find ways to overcome modernization crises, attract the cooperation of intellectuals and critics in humanities fields, and also show Iran's cultural and civilizational capacities to the people of Iran and beyond. As such, the government put its effort to establish these institutions. The history of Iran's scientific institutions, especially research institutions, has not been documented and we are at the beginning of this path. The author hopes this article would prove a way forward in reminding its importance and necessity.