The Pears Institute for the Study of Antisemitism has received a grant of £1.4 million that will fund its work for the next five years.

The funding from the Pears Foundation will pay for a social sciences lecturer, and extend teaching and research into antisemitism.

Trevor Pears executive chair of the Pears Foundation, said: “The Pears Institute has quickly established itself as a pre-eminent centre for the study of antisemitism in the UK and internationally.

“Notably, it has become an important bridge between academic research and public policy.

“Our continued funding is in recognition of all that Professor David Feldman and his colleagues have achieved in these first five years, and the important role the institute now plays in how antisemitism is identified, understood and challenged.”

The institute, based at Birkbeck, University of London, is the only centre in the UK, and one of just two in Europe, whose mission is to promote understanding of antisemitism.

Professor Feldman said he was “extremely grateful for the foundation’s vision and commitment to seeking to address the challenging issue of antisemitism through scholarly engagement.

“The new funding will enable the Pears Institute to extend its innovative research and teaching at Birkbeck and continue its inclusive approach to working with academic and non-academic partners.”