Kaveh Akbar

Kaveh Akbar is a Professor and Director of the English and Creative Writing Major at the University of Iowa's Department of English (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences). A celebrated writer and editor, he holds fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Poetry Foundation, and others. His work bridges poetry, nonfiction, and spiritual exploration, addressing themes like cultural identity, addiction, and existential inquiry.

Research interests include spiritual verse, creative nonfiction, and the intersection of personal narrative with broader sociopolitical issues. His award-winning novel Martyr! (2025) and poetry collections Pilgrim Bell and Calling a Wolf a Wolf exemplify his focus on lyrical innovation and cultural critique.

• Awards: National Book Award finalist, New York Times Ten Best Books (2025), numerous Pushcart Prizes
• Editorial Roles: Poetry Editor of The Nation (2020–present), founding editor of Divedapper
• Grants & Fellowships: Civitella Ranieri residency, UI Alumni Association Scholar of the Year (2025)

His writing has been translated into over 30 languages and appears in New Yorker, Paris Review, and Best American Poetry. Current projects include advancing creative writing pedagogy and editorial initiatives in literary publishing.