The International Society for Intellectual History was created in 1994 to foster communication and interaction among the international community of intellectual historians and scholars working in related fields. As agreed upon at its founding, the Society will make no attempt to define intellectual history as having only one approach. The Society therefore invites membership from scholars working in such diverse fields as art and music, religion and literature, philosophy, politics, and the sciences. The goal of the Society is two-fold: to bring together scholars working in the field of intellectual history and in related fields; and to provide this international community of scholars with a forum for debating and discussing various approaches to the study of intellectual history.

Amongst the benefits of becoming a member of the ISIH, members receive Intellectual History Review as part of their membership fee. Members are also eligible to participate in Society-sponsored conferences.