Paul Drew

Paul Drew is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in Cinema Studies. He teaches Arabic language and courses on Middle Eastern literature, film, and culture. His current research focuses on border spaces in Palestine and Israel, reflected in his book manuscript Deceptive Walls: Fracturing Borders in Palestine and Israel, which examines depictions of checkpoints and walls in regional narratives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, University of Texas at Austin (2013)
• MA in Middle Eastern Studies, University of Texas at Austin (2009)
• BA in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, Emory University (2006)

Research Interests: Paul’s work bridges film studies, cultural analysis, and geopolitical discourse. His scholarship critically engages with how visual and textual media represent contested border spaces, challenging static notions of territorial identity. His interdisciplinary approach incorporates Middle Eastern literature, cinema, and sociopolitical contexts.

Awards & Grants: No specific awards or grants listed, though his academic contributions are reflected in ongoing research and teaching initiatives.

Labs & Affiliations: Associated with university resources such as the smART Lab and Media Pool, though direct lab leadership roles are unspecified.