The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies is an independently funded academic research institute at the University of Iceland, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs. Its role is to:

• conduct research in the field of Icelandic studies and related scholarly disciplines, in particular Icelandic language and literature;
• disseminate knowledge in these fields; and
• preserve and augment the collections entrusted to its care.

The director of the Institute is Guðrún Nordal, professor in medieval Icelandic literature.

Board of Directors

Every four years the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs appoints a five-member board to oversee the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Three of the directors are nominated by the University Council of the University of Iceland, while two are appointed directly by the Ministry, one of whom acts as chairperson.

The Institute’s current Board of Directors:

• Illugi Gunnarsson, chairperson, former member of the Icelandic parliament Althingi
• Sigrún Magnúsdóttir, vice-chair, former Minister
• Guðrún Þórhallsdóttir, associate professor
• Torfi Tulinius, professor
• Guðrún Dröfn Whitehead, professor

The Institute is located in the building Edda, Arngrímsgata 5, IS-107 Reykjavík.

Opening hours:

Monday through Thursday 10–12 and 13–15
Friday 10–12