Founded in 1921, the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) is an important resource and meeting place for researchers from all over the world, providing an accessible and stimulating portal for the exchange of ideas, information, and current developments in historical scholarship. 

It promotes the study of history and an appreciation of the importance of the past among academics and the general public, in the UK and internationally, and provides institutional support and individual leadership for this broad historical community. It offers a wide range of services that promote and facilitate excellence in historical research, teaching, and scholarship in the UK through its library, seminars, conferences, fellowships, training, consultancy, Continuing Professional Development programme, and publications. Its own academic staff and research centres produce internationally regarded scholarship.

The Director of the IHR is Professor Claire Langhamer.