The name of the Institute is associated with the ideas and works of Vytautas Martynas Kavolis (1930-1999), a prominent émigré scientist, sociologist, publicist, and public figure who left his mark on the restored Vytautas Magnus University. Vytautas Kavolis, for many decades in the USA and after 1990 also in Lithuania, had been developing the sociology of aesthetics and literature, as well as cultural and gender studies, comparative civilisation studies, which were based on a transdisciplinary approach, the analysis of research methodologies and methods, their critique and revision. He was also one of the organisers of the Santara-Šviesa, which promoted the political and cultural activism of intellectuals to liberate, democratise and integrate Lithuanian society into the processes of global modernisation. 

Based on the analysis of V. Kavolis’s activities, the Institute fosters a threefold identity: first, the research of Kavolis’ scientific works; second, the application and development of Kavolis’ methodologies and methods similar to his, as well as the comparative social, cultural and civilisation studies; and, third, a broad range of other interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research through the development of international partnerships and scientific dialogue.