About Us

Our History

Italian culture has had an organised presence at the University of Oxford for almost 150 years. One of its earliest expressions was the Oxford Dante Society, founded in 1876 and dedicated to the study and celebration of Dante Alighieri, his works, and the cultural and intellectual world surrounding them.

The Society was founded by the Rev. Edward Moore, Principal of St Edmund Hall, together with the Taylorian Lecturer in Italian and academics from Exeter, Christ Church, and Pembroke. Remarkably, it was only the second Dante society of its kind in the world, following the Deutsche Dante-Gesellschaft, founded in 1865, and preceding the Dante Society of America, established in 1881.

From its beginnings, the Oxford Dante Society sought not only to study the Divina Commedia and Dante’s other works, but to encourage discussion, exchange ideas, and promote a deeper appreciation of Italian literature, history, and culture within Oxford. Its establishment demonstrates that an active interest in celebrating and engaging with Italian culture has existed at the University for almost a century and a half.

The Oxford University Italian Society (OUIS) proudly continues this wider tradition today. As a student-run society, our aim is to provide a welcoming home for Italians at Oxford while bringing together students of all nationalities who share an interest in Italy, its language, culture, history, politics, literature, food, and traditions.

We fulfil this mission through cultural and social events, speaker talks and discussions, celebrations of Italian traditions, language initiatives, and collaborations with other societies and institutions across Oxford and beyond. Through these activities, we seek both to strengthen the Italian community within the University and to share the richness and diversity of Italian culture with the wider Oxford community.

Building on Oxford’s long-standing engagement with Italy, from the scholars who gathered around Dante in 1876 to the international student community of today, OUIS seeks to ensure that Italian culture continues to have a vibrant and welcoming presence at the University for generations to come.

Our Society is registered with the University of Oxford and administered by a student committee elected annually. Further information about our governance and activities can be found in our Constitution.