About
Russell Berman is the Walter A. Haas Professor of the Humanities at Stanford University, with appointments in the Department of German Studies and Comparative Literature. He has held significant administrative roles, including Director of Comparative Literature, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and Editor of the journal Telos.
- Ph.D., Washington University, St. Louis (1979)
- B.A., Harvard University (1972)
His research spans German literature, Middle Eastern studies, cultural theory, and international relations. He focuses on the intersection of literature and political ideology, with a particular emphasis on Western cultural identity and geopolitical challenges.
His recent publications explore themes such as terrorism, cultural conflict, and the philosophical role of literature in shaping liberty. These works intersect with broader subfields like Islamic studies, narrative analysis, and ideological critique.
Scientific awards include:
- Mellon Faculty Fellowship
- von Humboldt Fellowship
- Best Book Award from the German Studies Association
- Bundesverdienstkreuz
- Stanford's Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award
- Stanford's Dean's Award for Graduate Teaching
Berman has contributed extensively to academic governance, serving as Chair of German Studies and Comparative Literature, Associate Dean, Director of Overseas Studies Programs, and Chair of the Senate of the Academic Council (2014–15). At the Hoover Institution, he directs the Working Group on the Middle East and the Islamic World.
