Kaveh Akbar

Kaveh Akbar is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Purdue University, where he teaches poetry and creative writing. Appointed poetry editor of The Nation in 2020, he is a prominent voice in contemporary American literature with works published in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and Best American Poetry.

His research and creative practice centers on poetry exploring addiction, Iranian-American identity, and spiritual pilgrimage, often drawing from his experience as an immigrant from Tehran. Akbar's work blends confessional lyricism with cultural critique, addressing themes of recovery, displacement, and religious heritage through innovative formal structures.

Recent publications include the chapbook Portrait of the Alcoholic (2016) and the full-length collection Pilgrim Bell (2021), with recurring motifs of Sufi spirituality and diaspora identity. His poems frequently appear in top-tier literary journals, reflecting his significant influence in contemporary poetry circles.

Scientific Awards

• Multiple Pushcart Prizes
• Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship
• Levis Reading Prize
• Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship

Akbar founded Divedapper in 2014, an acclaimed digital platform hosting in-depth interviews with major contemporary poets. While the provided materials don't specify student advising or research grants, his editorial role at The Nation and leadership of Divedapper demonstrate active mentorship within the poetry community.