International Association for Coptic Studies

11/02/2026

Dear colleagues,

The Third Circular of the 13th International Congress of Coptic Studies, which will be held in Göttingen, 27 July – 1 August 2026, has now been published. We kindly invite you to read it carefully, as it contains important updates and practical information concerning the forthcoming congress.

🔗 The link is available in the comments section of this post.

18/11/2025

The lecture series, “Digital Coptic Textual Studies: A Decade of Digital Research on the Written Heritage of Christian Egypt in Göttingen and Beyond,” organized by the Institute for Egyptology and Coptic Studies at the University of Göttingen and the Digital Edition of the Coptic Old Testament at the Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Göttingen, continues tomorrow at 16:15 CET with a presentation by Caroline T. Schroeder (University of Oklahoma) and Amir Zeldes (Georgetown University), entitled “Collaboration and Computation in Coptic Studies.”

The Zoom link for online participation is available on the page dedicated to the lecture series (see the comments section).

23/09/2025

Today, board members of the International Association for Coptic Studies and the editorial team of the Journal of Coptic Studies visited the headquarters of Peeters Publishers in Leuven.

02/09/2025

The Göttingen Digital Edition and Translation of the Coptic Old Testament is looking for a new trainee. The trainee will commit to working 30 hrs per week in a variety of tasks, which will depend on their experience and interests an,d the current Old Testament project focus. If pursuing a research project within the wider field of the Coptic Bible, the trainee will be able to dedicate up to 50% of this time to their own research.

Details on the IACS website:

Trainee – Digital Edition and Translation of the Coptic Old Testament HomeNewsTrainee – Digital Edition and Translation of the Coptic Old Testament The Digital Edition and Translation of the Coptic Old Testament at the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony is dedicated to...

02/04/2025

For those interested, the IACS website has an update on Bentley Layton’s funeral:

“Bentley Layton was a devoted parishioner at Christ Church New Haven. A Solemn Requiem Mass and burial will take place there on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. His ashes will be interred alongside those of his parents in the church.”

In Memoriam: Bentley Layton (1941–2025) HomeNewsIn Memoriam: Bentley Layton (1941–2025) Bentley Layton, a founding member and former president of the International Association for Coptic Studies, died Wednesday, 26 March 2025, at his home in New Haven, Connecticut, from complications of Parkinso...

27/03/2025

The field of Coptic studies has lost another towering figure. Bentley Layton, whose scholarship shaped our understanding of Coptic literature & grammar, Gnosticism, and monasticism, passed away on March 26. May his memory be eternal.

Read David Brakke's tribute on the IACS website:

In Memoriam: Bentley Layton (1941–2025) HomeNewsIn Memoriam: Bentley Layton (1941–2025) Bentley Layton, a founding member and former president of the International Association for Coptic Studies, died Wednesday, 26 March 2025, at his home in New Haven, Connecticut, from complications of Parkinso...

31/01/2025

The First Circular for the IACS 13th International Congress of Coptic Studies

The First Circular for the IACS 13th International Congress of Coptic Studies HomeNewsThe First Circular for the IACS 13th International Congress of Coptic Studies The organizers of the 13th International Congress of Coptic Studies, which will take place in Göttingen from July 27 to August 1, 2026,...

27/01/2025

This is a significant moment for the International Association for Coptic Studies (IACS). Our current Secretary, Stephen Emmel (University of Münster), who has served in this position for over two decades, is preparing for his well-deserved retirement.

Therefore, the IACS Board announces an open call for applications to fill the position of Secretary. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the leadership of the IACS and support its mission of advancing Coptic studies worldwide.

For details on the position and the application process, please visit the official announcement on the IACS website:

Open Call for Applications for the Position of Secretary of the International Association for Coptic Studies (IACS) HomeNewsOpen Call for Applications for the Position of Secretary of the International Association for Coptic Studies (IACS) The Board of the International Association for Coptic Studie...

07/01/2025

Conference on the Council of Nicaea to be held in Issenheim, Alsace, from September 3 to 5, 2025.

Conference Announcement. The Acts of the Council of Nicaea I (325): Issues and Perspectives HomeNewsConference Announcement. The Acts of the Council of Nicaea I (325): Issues and Perspectives We are excited to announce an international conference on the Acts of the Council of Nicaea I (325), to be h...

08/11/2024

It is with deep sadness that the Board of the International Association for Coptic Studies announces the passing of one of our honorary presidents, Martin Krause. A distinguished scholar and a towering figure in Coptology, Professor Krause's monumental contributions and dedication to the field have left an indelible mark on our scholarly community.

His legacy will continue to inspire generations of Coptologists to come. May he rest in peace.

In Memoriam: Martin Krause (1930–2024) HomeNewsIn Memoriam: Martin Krause (1930–2024) It is our sad duty to announce the death of our esteemed colleague, Prof. Dr. Dr. Martin Krause, a towering figure in the field of Coptology. Renowned as both a teacher and a scholar, Professor Krause’s life ...

02/08/2024

It is with great sadness that the IACS Board reports the passing of our esteemed colleague and mentor, Peter Nagel.

In Memoriam: Peter Nagel (1938-2024) HomeNewsIn Memoriam: Peter Nagel (1938-2024) It is with much sadness and regret that we note the passing of our great colleague, Peter Nagel, Professor of Christian Orient at the Universities of Halle/Saale and Bonn. Professor Nagel had been a member of the IACS....