International Society for the Empirical Study of Literature

The International Society for the Empirical Study of Literature and Media (IGEL: Internationale Gesellschaft für Empirische Literaturwissenschaft) is a learned society with the object of promoting empirical approach to the study of literature and culture.

History
The society was founded in 1987 by Siegfried J. Schmidt of the University of Siegen. In 2010 IGEL became a registered society; it is registered as a Foundation in the Netherlands. The actual president is Moniek Kuijpers.

Governance
The Society is led by a governing board. Members of the board are the president, a vice-president, treasurer, secretary, member at large, journal editor, and student representative. The board is elected at the bi-annual meeting usually held in August/September for a two or four-year term. Presidents of IGEL:
 * 1987-1988: Siegfried J. Schmidt, University of Siegen
 * 1988-1990: Elrud Ibsch, VU University Amsterdam
 * 1990-1992: Arthur C. Graesser, University of Memphis
 * 1992-1994: László Halász, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
 * 1994-1996: Steven Tötösy de Zepetnek, University of Alberta
 * 1996-1998: Els B. Andringa, Utrecht University
 * 1998-2000: Gerald C. Cuphik, University of Toronto
 * 2000-2002: János László, University of Pécs
 * 2002-2004: David S. Miall, University of Alberta
 * 2004-2006: Willie van Peer, University of Munich
 * 2006-2008: Max Louwerse, University of Memphis
 * 2008-2012: Marisa Bortolussi, University of Alberta
 * 2012-2016: Frank Hakemulder, Utrecht University
 * 2016-2020: Don Kuiken, University of Alberta
 * 2020-: Moniek Kuijpers, University of Basel

Conferences
The Society holds biennial conferences, alternating between Europe and North America.
 * 1987: Siegen
 * 1990: Amsterdam
 * 1992: Memphis
 * 1994: Budapest
 * 1996: Edmonton
 * 1998: Utrecht
 * 2000: Toronto
 * 2002: Pécs
 * 2004: Edmonton
 * 2006: München
 * 2008: Memphis
 * 2010: Utrecht
 * 2012: Montreal
 * 2014: Torino
 * 2016: Chicago
 * 2018: Stavanger
 * 2021: Liverpool
 * 2022: Orlando (online)
 * 2023: Monopoli

Publications
Scientific Study of Literature (SSOL) is the official journal of IGEL. IGEL membership includes a subscription to SSOL.