# British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies > academic body and charity **Wikidata**: [Q115626711](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115626711) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Institute_for_Libyan_and_Northern_African_Studies) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/british-institute-for-libyan-and-northern-african-studies ## Summary The British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies is an academic body and charity that operates as a research institute and publishing house. Also known as the Society for Libyan Studies, the organization is part of the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History. It is a charitable organization registered in the United Kingdom, dedicated to conducting research and generating new knowledge within its specific field. ## Key Facts - **Country:** United Kingdom - **Affiliation:** Part of the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History - **Legal Status:** Charitable organization (Charity Commission No. 259262) - **Operational Roles:** Functions as a research institute and a publishing house - **Alias:** Society for Libyan Studies - **Archon Code:** 3432 - **ROR ID:** 0520hfe27 - **Website:** https://www.bilnas.org/ - **Revenue (2020):** £110,070 - **Revenue (2021):** £105,983 - **Revenue (2022):** £107,014 - **Revenue (2023):** £187,444 - **Revenue (2024):** £196,052 - **Wikipedia Presence:** English language edition only (sitelink count: 1) ## FAQs ### What is the British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies? It is an academic body and charity that serves as a research institute and publishing house, also known by the alias Society for Libyan Studies. ### Is the organization affiliated with a university? Yes, it is part of the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History. ### What are the primary functions of the institute? The institute operates primarily as a research institute and a publishing house, focusing on generating new knowledge through systematic investigation. ### How is the organization funded? As a registered charity, it operates with revenue that has grown from £105,983 in 2021 to £196,052 in 2024. ### What is the difference between this institute and a university? Unlike universities that combine teaching with research, this institute exists specifically to conduct research and does not typically grant degrees or provide undergraduate education. ## Why It Matters The British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies serves as a dedicated engine for discovery in its field, operating free from the teaching obligations that often divide the attention of university researchers. By concentrating resources purely on investigation, the organization accelerates the creation of new knowledge regarding Libyan and Northern African studies. Its dual role as a publishing house ensures that findings are disseminated effectively, contributing to the broader academic infrastructure. The steady growth in its revenue from 2020 to 2024 reflects its increasing capacity to support long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within standard corporate or university timelines. ## Notable For - Operating under the alias "Society for Libyan Studies" while maintaining its official charitable status. - Being classified under three distinct categories: charitable organization, research institute, and publishing house. - Demonstrating significant financial growth, nearly doubling its revenue between 2020 (£110,070) and 2024 (£196,052). - Holding specific identifiers for archival and academic recognition, including Archon Code 3432 and ROR ID 0520hfe27. - Maintaining a focused operational scope as a research institute distinct from think tanks or scientific societies. ## Body ### Organizational Identity and Classification The British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies is formally recognized as an academic body and charity. It is classified under multiple organizational types, operating simultaneously as a charitable organization, a research institute, and a publishing house. The entity is also known by the alias "Society for Libyan Studies." For identification within library and archival systems, it utilizes the Archon code 3432 and the Registry of Research Repositories (ROR) ID 0520hfe27. Its presence on Wikipedia is currently limited to a single English language edition. ### Affiliation and Governance The institute is geographically located in the United Kingdom and operates as a constituent part of the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History. This affiliation situates the organization within a major academic institution while allowing it to maintain its specific operational focus. It is officially registered with the Charity Commission under the number 259262, which governs its status as a non-profit entity dedicated to research and publication. ### Research Mission and Context As a research institute, the organization's primary purpose is to conduct research rather than to teach or grant degrees. This distinguishes it from universities, which balance teaching and research missions, and from companies that pursue research for commercial ends. The institute is specifically differentiated from scientific societies and learned societies, which are typically membership-based organizations, as it is an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. Furthermore, it is distinct from think tanks; while think tanks focus on policy-oriented research to influence government decisions, this institute pursues fundamental inquiry within its specific academic discipline. ### Financial Performance The organization's financial records indicate a trajectory of growth and stability over a five-year period. In 2020, the institute reported a revenue of £110,070. This figure slightly dipped to £105,983 in 2021 before recovering to £107,014 in 2022. A significant increase occurred in 2023, with revenue rising to £187,444. By 2024, the revenue had reached £196,052, demonstrating the organization's expanding capacity to fund its research and publishing activities. ### Publishing and Operations In addition to its research capabilities, the institute functions as a publishing house. This role allows it to actively contribute to the dissemination of academic knowledge. Its official website, https://www.bilnas.org/, serves as a hub for its operations and public outreach. By combining the roles of research institute and publishing house, the entity ensures that the systematic investigation it conducts is effectively translated into accessible resources for the academic community and the public. ## References 1. Charity Commission Register of Charities 2. ROR release v1.41