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Joanna Inglot serves as the Edith M. Kelso Associate Professor of Art History at Macalester College, where she teaches courses spanning modern and contemporary art, gender studies, and transnational art history. Her research focuses on feminist art, art in former Eastern Europe, and the intersections of art with gender politics and historical memory. Dr. Inglot's research interests encompass modern and contemporary art within global contexts, with a particular emphasis on feminist art movements and the art of Eastern Europe during and after communism. She explores transcultural dialogues, the body in performance art, and the role of art in political resistance, especially in post-communist societies. Her recent scholarly work reveals a strong focus on feminist art in Eastern Europe, examining figures like Natalia LL and Magdalena Abakanowicz, and extending to diasporic artists such as Shirin Neshat. Themes of memory, gender, and the political dimensions of art consistently thread through her publications. Dr. Inglot has received numerous prestigious awards and grants, including: Fulbright Fellowship American Council of Learned Societies Grant International Exchanges Commission Grant (IREX) National Endowment of the Humanities Grant Faculty Exceptional Performance Award (2022-23) Mellon Periclean Faculty Leadership Grant in the Humanities (2024-25) As an active researcher and curator, she has directed symposia at institutions like Tate Modern and is currently editing a volume on Abakanowicz and writing a book on feminism in the post-communist world. Her work is supported by significant grants that enable her to advance scholarship in art history and feminist studies.

• Modern and Contemporary Art
• Feminist Art
• Art in Eastern Europe
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Ali Anooshahr is a Professor in the History Department at the University of California, Davis, specializing in early modern Persianate and Mughal Indian history. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA (2005) and has held academic positions at Saint Xavier University (2007-2008) before joining UC Davis. His research focuses on empires, Indo-Persian culture, historiography, slavery, and economic history, supported by fellowships from the Guggenheim, Mellon, and Hellman Foundations. Education: Ph.D., History, UCLA, 2005 M.A., History, UCLA, 2002 B.A., Humanities, University of Texas at Austin, 1998 Research interests include the political, cultural, and economic dynamics of early modern empires, particularly Mughal India and the Persianate world. He has authored influential works such as Slavery in the Early Mughal World (2025) and Turkestan and the Rise of Eurasian Empires (2018). His articles explore topics like the Arghun state in Qandahar, Safavid campaigns, and the role of elephants in imperial symbolism. Awards and recognitions include the Guggenheim Fellowship (2021), UC Davis Hellman Fellowship (2009-10), and CLIR/Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005-6). He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient . Teaching focuses on medieval and Mughal India, Safavid Iran, and Islamic history. His interdisciplinary work bridges economic, social, and cultural approaches to early modern empires, with a particular emphasis on Persianate manuscripts and historiography.

• Empires
• Indo-Persian culture
• Historiography
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Kathryn Babayan is a Professor at the University of Michigan , affiliated with the Middle East Studies department. Her research focuses on the cultural, social, and political histories of the Persianate world, particularly Iran, Iraq, Anatolia, and Central Asia. Her work integrates gender and sexuality studies , Safavid dynasty analysis , and material culture approaches to explore historical narratives. She is currently researching literacy practices in early modern Isfahan through her book The City as Anthology , examining how anthologies (majmu'a/muraqqa') reshaped urban experience and individual sovereignty. Collaborations include co-authoring Slaves of the Shah with Susan Babaie, Massumeh Farhad, and Ena Baghdiantz-McCabe, and co-editing Islamicate Sexualities with Afsaneh Najmabadi. Her publications bridge historiography , religion , and visual culture .

• Iranian History
• Persianate World
• Cultural Studies
• +7 more

Maziar Behrooz is an Associate Professor in the History Department at San Francisco State University (SFSU), where he has held academic positions since 1995. He specializes in the history of the Near East, modern Iran, and the Islamic world, with particular focus on political movements, international relations, and revolutionary dynamics. Behrooz holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from UCLA (1993), alongside advanced degrees from SFSU and Saint Mary's College. His academic career includes visiting positions at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and other institutions. His research interests encompass Iranian foreign policy, the Iranian Left's historical trajectory, Russo-Iranian relations, and the socio-political dimensions of the Islamic Revolution. He has authored seminal works such as Rebels with a Cause: The Failure of the Left in Iran (1999) and Iran at War: Interaction with the Modern World (2023). His scholarship critically examines themes like state formation, ideological fragmentation, and geopolitical conflicts. Behrooz frequently presents at international conferences (MESA, AIS) and reviews major works in peer-reviewed journals like International Journal of Middle East Studies . He is affiliated with professional organizations including the Middle East Studies Association and holds proficiency in English, Persian, and French. His academic contributions bridge historical analysis with contemporary political discourse, particularly regarding Iran's domestic and international challenges.

• Iranian History
• Modern Middle Eastern Studies
• Islamic World History
• +4 more

Arash Khazeni is Professor of History, Chair of the History Department, and Coordinator of Middle Eastern Studies at Pomona College, where he has been a faculty member since 2010. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Yale University and specializes in the imperial, environmental, and borderland histories of the modern Middle East, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean. Ph.D., Yale University M.A., Yale University B.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison His research explores the margins of empires and the interconnected histories of the Indo-Persian world, blending environmental history with world-historical perspectives. He investigates how societies on the periphery—such as tribal communities and pastoralists—interacted with imperial structures and shaped transregional exchanges. His approach is influenced by E.P. Thompson’s 'history from below' and engages with postcolonial and Marxist frameworks. His publications reveal a consistent focus on global trade, cultural mobility, and human-environment interactions, particularly in arid and frontier zones. Themes such as the turquoise trade, equestrian pastoralism, and Indo-Persian travel writing demonstrate his interdisciplinary reach across economic, cultural, and environmental history. Recipient of the Middle East Studies Association Houshang Pourshariati Book Award Balzan Keddie Fellowship, UCLA Huntington Library, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Short Term Research Fellowship Khazeni advises on interdisciplinary scholarship and has co-edited thematic volumes on trade in the Persianate world. His academic leadership includes directing the Middle Eastern Studies program and teaching courses on Gunpowder Empires, Environmental Histories, and the Indian Ocean World. He has no known active grants listed, but his fellowships reflect sustained research support. He is deeply involved in shaping curricula that connect global regions and historical methodologies. His work is associated with intellectual communities focused on world history and environmental humanities, though no formal lab or research team is mentioned.

• Middle Eastern History
• Indo-Persian History
• Indian Ocean History
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Maziyar Faridi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Clemson University's College of Arts and Humanities. His research focuses on comparative modernism, global cinema, and postcolonial transnational studies with specialization in Middle Eastern and North African literatures and cinemas. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Northwestern University (2020), alongside degrees from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Ph.D.: Comparative Literature, Northwestern University (2020) M.A.: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2011) B.A.: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2008) His current book project examines Iranian and global modernism (1922-1979), exploring poetics that challenge colonial modernity and anticolonial frameworks. Faridi’s work bridges continental philosophy, critical theory, and media studies to analyze sovereign subject critiques. Notable awards include a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (2024-2025), Charles Bernheimer Prize (2020-2021), and the Ferdowsi Tusi Award (2018). Publications appear in Diacritics and Comparative Literature . Faridi advises graduate work on sovereignty, postcolonial translation, and critical theory from the Global South. His research incorporates interdisciplinary frameworks from the Paris Program in Critical Theory and certificates in Middle East Studies and World Literature.

• Comparative Modernism
• Global Cinema
• Poetry and Poetics
• +5 more

Fakhreddin Azimi is a Professor at the University of Connecticut specializing in Modern Middle East and Iranian history. He holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University and has taught at various institutions globally. His research focuses on religion-state relations, socio-political dynamics, and historiography in Iran. Education: B.A. in Political Science, Tehran University M.Sc. in Politics (Middle East), SOAS, University of London D.Phil. in History, St. Antony's College, Oxford University Research Interests: Azimi examines how power structures shape Iranian socio-cultural and political landscapes. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary issues, particularly focusing on: Religion and Secularity in Modern Iran Authoritarian Governance Mechanisms Cultural Narratives of National Identity Historiographical Methodologies Publications: His seminal work The Quest for Democracy in Iran won multiple awards, while his Persian publications explore Iranian nationalism and Mosaddeq's legacy. Over 60 articles and book chapters span academic journals like Iranian Studies and International Labor and Working-Class History . Awards: 2008 Mossadegh Prize (Best Book on Iran) Three-time recipient of the Mahtab Mirzaie Memorial Prize Featured in Negah-e Nou intellectual journal (2020) Teaching & Scholarship: Azimi teaches medieval/modern Middle East history and historiography. His graduate seminars explore theory-method intersections in historical research. He actively contributes to the Encyclopaedia Iranica and maintains international academic collaborations.

• Modern Middle East History
• Islamic Studies
• Socio-Political Analysis
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Dr. Daniel A. Sass is an Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of Management Science and Statistics at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Carlos Alvarez College of Business. He directs the Statistical Consulting Center and focuses on methodological research, including psychometrics, structural equation modeling, and factor analysis. His applied work spans education, public health, and organizational behavior. Education: Ph.D. in Management Science and Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee B.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research Interests : Dr. Sass specializes in advanced statistical methodologies with applications in education and social sciences. His work emphasizes psychometric validation, measurement invariance, and applied collaborative projects. Key areas include teacher retention, classroom management, and cross-cultural scale adaptation. His research bridges theoretical statistical frameworks with real-world challenges in education and public policy. Publications Trends : Recent work explores pandemic impacts on productivity, educator stress in charter schools, and diabetes management programs. Earlier studies focus on statistical methods like factor analysis and structural equation modeling validation. His articles consistently address practical implications for policy and practice. Advising/Grants : While no advisees are listed, his collaborative projects involve interdisciplinary teams across education, public health, and organizational studies. His Statistical Consulting Center supports UTSA researchers in applying rigorous statistical methods to their work. Labs/Teams : Director of the Statistical Consulting Center, providing methodological support for academic and applied research projects.

• Psychometrics
• Structural Equation Modeling
• Factor Analysis
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Jason Ur is the Stephen Phillips Professor of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University, specializing in early urbanism, landscape archaeology, and remote sensing. He directs the Erbil Plain Archaeological Survey (EPAS) in Iraqi Kurdistan and has conducted fieldwork in Syria, Turkey, and Iran. His work leverages declassified satellite imagery and geospatial technologies to study ancient settlement patterns, irrigation systems, and transportation networks. Research Focus: Early urban development in Mesopotamia, GIS-based landscape analysis, qanat systems, and postmortem segregation in colonial New England cemeteries. Field Projects: EPAS (2012–present), Tell Hamoukar Survey (1999–2001), and studies of colonial-era burying grounds since 2020. Methodology: Remote sensing (CORONA, HEXAGON, U2 imagery), UAV photogrammetry, 3D visualization, and intensive ground surveys. Key Findings: Discovery of undocumented urban centers, mapping of ancient canals and hollow ways, and analysis of rural Assyrian landscapes.

• Early Urbanism
• Landscape Archaeology
• Remote Sensing
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Kendall King is a Professor of Multilingual Education and Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Faculty Development at the University of Minnesota , College of Education and Human Development. With expertise in sociolinguistics and language policy, they coordinate the undergraduate TESL minor and lead research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education through CARLA. B.A. Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara (1991) M.S. TESOL, University of Pennsylvania (1993) Ph.D. Educational Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania (1997) Their research focuses on second language learning , bilingualism , and equity , particularly in contexts involving minoritized languages and immigrant/refugee populations. They examine how family and school practices influence language use and academic success, with a strong emphasis on native language literacy as a pedagogical resource. Recent publications analyze neoliberal influences on language policies, including critiques of state seals of biliteracy and bilingual parenting frameworks. Their work has shaped Minnesota's LEAPS Act (2014), promoting multilingual approaches for English learners. Collaborative studies with Martha Bigelow highlight literacy development in newcomer students. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Scholarship and Service Award (AAAL, 2024) Linda Duttenhaver Distinguished Alumni Award (UC Education Abroad, 2023) ACTFL Research Priorities Initiative (2019) Helen C. Bailey Alumni Award (2016) Imagine Fund Annual Award (UMN, 2014) CEHD Summer Research Award (UMN, 2012) King emphasizes responsive advising and co-publishing with PhD students, supporting their participation in conferences and departmental intellectual life. They co-lead initiatives to expand multilingual recognition through state biliteracy seals.

• Sociolinguistics
• Language Policy
• Bilingual Education
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David Finkelstein is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he has been a faculty member since 2013. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds advanced degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His academic affiliations include prior roles as a Research Assistant Professor and Lab Manager at the University of Massachusetts and as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee. Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.S., University of Massachusetts, Amherst B.S., University of Massachusetts, Amherst Dr. Finkelstein's research centers on limnogeology and biogeochemistry , with a focus on the chemical evolution of lake systems, stable isotope geochemistry, and microbial life in extreme environments. His work integrates aqueous geochemistry, organic molecular analysis, and microbiological methods to reconstruct paleoenvironments and climate change across geological timescales, including the Holocene, Pleistocene, Cretaceous, and Triassic periods. He has extensively studied lake sediments, wildfires, and the environmental impacts of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. His recent publications show a strong trend in using biogeochemical proxies and isotopic signatures to understand past climate variability, human-environment interactions, and extreme environmental conditions. His research often involves multidisciplinary collaborations and field-based studies in diverse regions such as Russia, Iran, and Central America. Dr. Finkelstein is actively involved in scientific communities, with affiliations including: International Association of Limnogeology American Geophysical Union Geological Society of America Geochemical Society SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) He has advised numerous research projects and mentored students in geoscience, though specific names are not listed. His teaching includes courses such as Stable Isotope Geochemistry, Limnology, and Environmental Geochemistry, reflecting his expertise in both theoretical and applied aspects of earth sciences. Dr. Finkelstein has not received any explicitly listed scientific awards in the provided text, but his publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates significant scholarly contributions. He does not appear to lead a named laboratory or research center, but his work is deeply embedded in field and laboratory-based geochemical analysis.

• Limnogeology
• Biogeochemistry
• Aqueous Geochemistry
• +7 more

Anita Varma is an Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin. She leads the Solidarity Journalism Initiative at the Center for Media Engagement as a senior faculty research associate. Her work emphasizes solidarity in journalism, focusing on marginalized communities and ethical reporting practices. Varma chairs the Media Ethics Division of AEJMC and serves on boards of organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists and Press On. Varma holds a PhD in Communication from Stanford University, with a dissertation on solidarity in journalism awarded the Penn State Davis Ethics Award. Her research explores media ethics, solidarity reporting, and the role of journalism in social justice. She previously served as Assistant Director of Journalism & Media Ethics at Santa Clara University and a Visiting Lecturer at UC Berkeley’s School of Journalism. Her scholarly articles address antiracist journalism, empathy limitations in reporting, and solidarity as a news value. Varma advocates for journalism that actively engages marginalized voices and challenges systemic inequities, emphasizing public service and democratic accountability in media practices. Varma’s awards include the Penn State Davis Ethics Award for her dissertation, recognizing her groundbreaking work on humanizing techniques in journalism. Her articles consistently explore intersections between media practices and social justice, offering frameworks for ethical reporting that prioritize solidarity over traditional objectivity.

• Media Ethics
• Solidarity Journalism
• Journalism and Social Justice
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Niloofar Sarlati is an Assistant Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature) and an M.A. from the University of Leeds (Cultural Studies). Her research focuses on empire and postcolonial studies, history of capitalism, critical translation theory, and visual culture, with a specialization in 19th- and 20th-century Persian, English, Arabic, and French literary works. Her current book project examines political economy through colonial and capitalist encounters. Her work appears in Symplokē , Philological Encounters , Comparative Literature , and a forthcoming essay in the Routledge Companion to Postcolonial and Decolonial Literature . Teaching interests include global literature, travel narratives, Iranian cinema, and critical theory. Office hours are held weekly via Zoom.

• Empire and Postcolonial Studies
• History of Capitalism
• Critical Translation Theory
• +7 more

Eliz Sanasarian is a Professor of Political Science and Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Southern California. She is affiliated with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the Center for Religion & Civic Culture, and the Gender Studies Program. Her research focuses on political science, gender studies, and Middle Eastern and Iranian issues, particularly religious minorities and women's rights movements. She has authored influential works such as Religious Minorities in Iran (Cambridge University Press) and The Women’s Rights Movement in Iran (Praeger), the latter of which received a major award in its Persian translation. Her academic contributions emphasize historical and sociopolitical analysis of Iran's socio-religious dynamics and gender policies. While no specific grants or advising roles are detailed here, her publications reflect decades of engagement with Iranian and Middle Eastern studies. No lab or team affiliations are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

• Political Science
• Gender Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• +3 more

Erik C. Nisbet is a Professor and the Owen L. Coon Endowed Professor of Policy Analysis & Communication at Northwestern University's School of Communication. He directs the Center for Communication & Public Policy (CCPP) and is affiliated with the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies (REES), USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and OSU Mershon Center. Education: Ph.D. in Communication and Comparative Politics, Cornell University M.S. in Communication, Cornell University B.A. in Government and International Relations, Cornell University His research focuses on the intersection of communication, public opinion, and policy in science, technology, environmental policy, democracy, elections, and international security. Current projects examine cross-national survey methodology, field experiments, and misinformation dynamics in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and Iran. Recent research trends emphasize misinformation's impact on democratic satisfaction, emotional drivers of online political expression, and cross-cultural media effects during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants: National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) U.S. Department of State

• Political Communication
• Science and Environmental Communications
• Public Opinion
• +4 more