Faedah M. Totah

Faedah M. Totah, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and International Studies Coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work bridges sociocultural anthropology with urban studies, focusing on the Middle East.

• Ph.D., Anthropology, The University of Texas at Austin
• M.A., Arab Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
• B.A., Anthropology, Wellesley College

Her research examines gentrification, historic preservation, and urban refugees, particularly in Syria. She spent two years in Damascus studying the Old City's gentrification, culminating in her 2014 book Preserving the Old City of Damascus. Current work includes a manuscript on Palestinian urban refugees in Damascus and their relationship with Syrian nationalism.

Notable publication trends include analysis of neoliberal urbanism and displacement in the Middle East. Recent articles in International Journal of Middle East Studies and Anthropology Now reflect her focus on refugee dynamics and social resilience during conflict.