Created in 1962, the ISH is a public research institute at the service of culture and development. In 2002 it was recognized as a public scientific and cultural institution. Its main mission is research in the humanities and social sciences. In this regard, it pursues advanced investigations of archeology, history, sociology, anthropology, human geography and oral literature.

The ISH supports students in training and advanced scholars conducting research in its domains of competence. It is actively engaged in the collection, conservation and dissemination of research results. It also contributes to the protection of national cultural heritage in collaboration with relevant institutions.

The Institute is administered through the following bodies:
– The Board of Directors :
It defines the vision and strategic orientation of the Institute, adopts its program of activities and budget, and deliberates on equipment acquisitions and investments. It also fixes the staffing policy with related compensations and benefits, reviews the annual report of activities submitted by the Director General and approves the annual accounts of the preceding budget year.

– The Director
The Institute is managed by a Director General who oversees, coordinates and checks the overall activities. In effect, he represents the Institute for Humanities in all official capacities that are not restricted to the Board of Directors or the ministerial department. This is the case for the hiring and dismissal of personnel according to the applicable laws, the signing of agreements and leases and contracts with partners. He or she submits an annual report on the research programs, including funding plans and matching budgets.

– The Scientific and Cultural Board, which as consultative body, examines questions related to the implementation of research programs, ongoing research activities as well as training and advanced studies curricula.

– The Management Committee, which is also a consultative body that advises on initiatives aimed at improving the working and living conditions at the Institute, any measure likely to modify the structure or level of staffing of the service, working hours or employment conditions, the use of income, gifts, legacy, and subsidies.

The ISH has three research departments, one department in charge of administration and programming, one department in charge of documentation and publication and one financial department.

The research deparments are namely 1) archeology and history, 2) linguistics and oral literature, and 3) socio-anthropology.

The ISH counts many partners among institutions of higher education and scientific research in Mali and abroad.

In Mali:

– Departement of History and Archeology, Uinversity of Social Sciences and Management at Bamako (USSG-B)

– University of Letters and Humanities at Bamako (ULSH-B)
– Higher Institute for Training in Applied Research (ISFRA)
– National Direction of Cultural Heritage (DNPC-MCAT)
– National Museum of Mali
– Consortium of Mining Companies
– Odyssee: research organization specialized in social studies, Bamako

Abroad:
– Institute for Development Research (IRD), France
– International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden, The Netherlands
– American University, USA
– Frobenius Institute Frobénius, Germany
– Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire Cheikh Anta Diop (IFAN C AD), Dakar

To date the ISH’s scientific journal, Etudes maliennes spans 83 issues. There is also a broad range of monographs, books and special issues published through internal research programs, projects initiated through public policies, and in collaboration with international and non-governmental organisations, as well as publishing houses.