Ian Anthony Morrison

Ian Anthony Morrison is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology at The American University in Cairo (AUC). He holds a PhD in Sociology (2008) from York University, a MA in Political Economy (2003) from Carleton University, and a BA (Hons) in International Affairs (1997) from the University of Toronto. His research bridges continental social thought, psychoanalytic theory, and Marxist methods to examine national identity, political subjectivity, and collective trauma in both Western and non-Western contexts.

• PhD in Sociology (York University, 2008)
• MA in Political Economy (Carleton University, 2003)
• BA (Hons) in International Affairs (University of Toronto, 1997)

Morrison’s work focuses on critical moments of crisis where group identities and political subjectivities are contested, particularly in relation to religion, secularism, commemoration, and citizenship. His research spans Egypt, Québec, and South-East Asia, emphasizing how such contexts reveal the dynamics of inclusion, exclusion, and alternative forms of belonging. He currently leads the extimaces project, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, which rethinks critical theory through dialogues with intellectual traditions in the Global South.

Scientific awards and grants:

• Principal Investigator for extimaces: critical theory from the global South, an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation 30th anniversary early career scholar program grant.

Morrison’s academic leadership includes chairing the Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology at AUC. His interdisciplinary approach integrates Marxist analysis with psychoanalytic frameworks to address the reproduction of nations and the reconfiguration of citizenship in tumultuous historical periods.