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Ilham Khuri-Makdisi serves as Associate Professor of History at Northeastern University's College of Social Sciences and Humanities, specializing in Middle Eastern history with emphasis on Ottoman Eastern Mediterranean cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her research examines global and intra-imperial connections, movements of people and ideas, and transnational radical networks across the Ottoman Empire and Mediterranean world. Her educational background includes a PhD in History and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University (2004). This foundational training informs her interdisciplinary approach to Ottoman studies within global historical frameworks. Professor Khuri-Makdisi's research interests center on Ottoman Eastern Mediterranean urban history, global radical movements, intellectual history, and translation studies. She investigates socialism and anarchism in Beirut, Cairo, and Alexandria through diverse social groups including intellectuals, dramatists, and workers. Current projects explore Arabic-Ottoman Turkish translations and position the nahda (Arab Renaissance) within broader Ottoman and global contexts, revealing intricate cultural exchanges that shaped modern Middle Eastern thought. Her publications demonstrate consistent engagement with transnational intellectual and social currents, particularly examining how concepts of 'the social' evolved in Arabic thought and how fin de siècle Egypt functioned as a nexus for radical networks. These works collectively emphasize the interconnectedness of Ottoman territories with global movements, challenging nationalist historiographies through meticulous analysis of cross-border ideological flows. As an educator, she teaches foundational courses including Introduction to Middle Eastern History (HIST 1185), Modern Middle East (HIST 1290), and Capstone (HIST 4701), employing diverse sources from architectural records to political speeches to examine Europe-Middle East relations, imperialism, state formation, and social movements since the 19th century.

• Middle Eastern History
• Ottoman Empire History
• World History
• +4 more

Kaya Şahin is an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Chicago (2007). His research focuses on the Ottoman Empire, early modern Eurasian empires, and the interplay of historiography, governance, and identity in early modern global contexts. Key areas include the Ottoman-Safavid rivalry, intercultural exchanges, and the construction of imperial discourses. Educational Background: Ph.D. in History, University of Chicago, 2007. Research Interests: - Institutional and ideological foundations of Ottoman imperialism - Comparative studies of early modern Eurasian empires - Ottoman historiography and its modern interpretations - Cultural and religious dimensions of the Ottoman-Safavid rivalry - Early modern Eurasia as a unified historical zone. Awards and Honors: NEH Fellowship (2015-16) SSRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2012-2013) Sherman Emerging Scholar (2011-2012) Newberry Library Mellon Fellowship (2010-2011) Mellon Fellowship at Northwestern University (2007-2008) His work examines global interconnectedness in early modernity, emphasizing the Ottoman Empire’s role within a broader Eurasian framework. Recent publications explore Anthony Sherley’s Persian travels, Celalzade Mustafa’s bureaucratic writings, and apocalyptic interpretations of Ottoman conquests.

• Ottoman History
• Early Modern Empires
• Comparative Studies
• +3 more

Hasan Kayalı is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of California, San Diego. He specializes in the history of the Middle East during the Islamic period, focusing on the late Ottoman Empire, nationalism, and transitions from empire to nation-states. His research bridges political, social, and intellectual histories of the region. Education : B.A. in Government, Harvard University Ph.D. in History and Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University Research Interests : Dr. Kayalı examines Ottoman administration of Arab provinces, the impact of World War I on imperial structures, and the ideological contests between Ottomanism, Arabism, and Islamism. His work challenges traditional narratives of empire decline and emphasizes continuity in governance and identity formation. Key Publications : He authored Imperial Resilience (2021) and Arabs and Young Turks (1997), translated into multiple languages. He co-edited Empire to Nation (2006) and contributed to Archivum Ottomanicum . Labs/Teams : Engaged in collaborative projects on Ottoman archives and digital humanities initiatives to map historical networks in the Middle East.

• Middle Eastern History
• Ottoman Empire Studies
• Nationalism Studies
• +3 more

Sanjay Subrahmanyam is Distinguished Professor of History and Irving & Jean Stone Endowed Chair in Social Sciences at UCLA's Department of History. A globally recognized historian of the early modern period (15th-18th centuries), he previously held prestigious positions at the Collège de France (2013-2021), University of Oxford (2002-2004), and Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris (1995-2002). He founded UCLA's Center for India and South Asia (2005-2011) and maintains significant academic engagement in France through media appearances and lectures. His educational background includes: M.A. in Economics (First Rank with Gold Medal), Delhi School of Economics (1982) Ph.D. in Economic History, Delhi School of Economics (1987) Honorary D.Litt., University of Calcutta (2015) Doctorat honoris causa, Université catholique de Louvain (2017) Subrahmanyam's research revolutionized global historical methodology through his pioneering concept of 'connected histories,' which challenges Eurocentric periodization and emphasizes horizontal connections across regions. His work spans South Asian political culture, Indian Ocean trade networks, Iberian imperial systems, and Mughal court dynamics, consistently integrating multilingual archives and visual sources. He demonstrates exceptional mastery in synthesizing Portuguese, Spanish, Persian, Tamil, and Sanskrit materials to reconstruct non-Western perspectives on early modern globalization. His recent publications reveal intensified focus on transcultural encounters, maritime archaeology, and the material dimensions of empire. Works like Across the Green Sea (2024) and Mirrors of Empire (2026) showcase his shift toward analyzing ego-documents and visual culture to explore identity formation in frontier zones. The consistent thread remains his critique of civilizational boundaries and emphasis on fluid cultural exchanges across the Indian Ocean world. His scientific recognition includes: Infosys Humanities Prize (2012) Dan David Prize for History (2019) Prix International de l'Histoire (2020) Fellowship in American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2009) Corresponding Fellowship in British Academy (2016) Guggenheim Fellowship (2011-12) Subrahmanyam has mentored nine doctoral students to completion, maintaining active collaborations with Muzaffar Alam (University of Chicago), Velcheru Narayana Rao (University of Wisconsin), and David Shulman (Hebrew University). His editorial leadership includes co-editing The Cambridge World History (2015) and serving over a decade as Joint Managing Editor of the Indian Economic and Social History Review . He currently directs major international projects on Indo-Persian travel writing and Mughal intellectual networks. Though not leading a traditional laboratory, he coordinates the 'Connected Histories' research initiative across UCLA, Collège de France, and University of Chicago, fostering interdisciplinary teams examining early modern knowledge circulation. His public engagement includes regular contributions to French media (France 24, France Info) and curated exhibitions like the Codex Casanatense project.

• Early Modern History
• South Asian History
• Indian Ocean History
• +7 more

Khaled El-Rouayheb is a Professor of Arabic and Islamic Intellectual History at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, affiliated with the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He is on leave for the 2024–2025 academic year. Research focuses on Islamic theology, philosophy, and Arabic logic Author of three influential monographs Co-editor of the Oxford Handbook of Islamic Philosophy Education: BA in Philosophy, University of Copenhagen MA in Middle Eastern History, American University of Beirut PhD in Oriental Studies, University of Cambridge His work examines intellectual and cultural transformations in the Arabic-Islamic world from the classical to early modern periods. Key contributions include analyses of logical systems and historical shifts in gender/sexuality discourses. Scientific Awards: Harvard College Professor (2022)

• Islamic Intellectual History
• Arabic Logic
• Islamic Theology and Philosophy
• +3 more

Reşat Kasaba is a Professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, where he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses for over 30 years. He currently directs the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies and served as the director of the Jackson School from 2010 to 2020. His expertise centers on the political and economic history of the Middle East, particularly Turkey. His educational qualifications include: Ph.D. in Sociology, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1986 M.A. in Sociology, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1978 B.S. in Economics and Statistics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 1976 Professor Kasaba's research interests encompass political economy, economic history, state-society relations, migration and refugee studies, ethnicity and nationalism, urban history, and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. His work often focuses on modern Turkey, analyzing the rural-urban divide and the historical trajectory of state formation. His scholarly output features four influential books that explore the dynamics of empire, migration, modernity, and legal systems in the Ottoman and Turkish contexts. Collectively, these works contribute to understanding the complex interplay between social forces, national identity, and political economy in the region. He has been recognized with the UW Distinguished Teaching Award. Additionally, he has held leadership roles in prominent academic associations: President, Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (2017-2019) Board Member, Middle East Studies Association of North America (2015-2018) Professor Kasaba is actively involved in graduate education, currently accepting new MA students for the 2026-2027 academic year and mentoring Ph.D. candidates through the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program. His teaching covers diverse topics including world cities, state-society relations, and the modern Middle East.

• Middle Eastern Studies
• Political Economy
• Economic History
• +6 more

Sarah Curtis is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of History at San Francisco State University. She specializes in 19th-century France, focusing on social, cultural, religious, and gender history, including the French empire. Her work explores the roles of religious orders and women in education and mission work, emphasizing their agency within societal structures. She currently researches the 'culture of childhood' in 19th-century France. Her research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend (2018) and the Frances Richardson Keller-Sierra Prize (2011). She has published extensively, including Civilizing Habits (2010) and Educating the Faithful (2000), which highlight the transformative role of religious institutions in education and colonial contexts. Awards: National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend (2018) Frances Richardson Keller-Sierra Prize (2011) Fulbright Research Fellowship (2001-02) As Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Curtis oversees the History M.A. program. Her courses cover European social history, gender studies, and imperialism. She has contributed to academic service, including editorial roles and conference leadership in French and colonial history.

• 19th-century France
• French empire
• Gender
• +2 more

Molly Greene is a Professor of History and Hellenic Studies at Princeton University. Her work focuses on the Ottoman Empire and the Mediterranean world, with expertise in early modern Christian-Muslim interactions, maritime history, and colonial dynamics. She served on the Executive Committee of the Program in Hellenic Studies from 2011 to 2022. Her research bridges Ottoman administrative systems, ethnic communities, and religious coexistence. Affiliations: Princeton University (current), Center for Hellenic Studies (past committee role) Her research explores themes such as Ottoman governance mechanisms, the role of piracy in Mediterranean trade, and socio-economic relationships between Christian and Muslim populations. Recent work emphasizes the agency of non-state actors and marginalized groups in shaping imperial structures. Greene’s publications include seminal works like A Shared World (2002) and Catholic Pirates and Greek Merchants (2010), which reframe understandings of religious and economic networks in early modern Europe. She has also published in Greek, reflecting her deep engagement with Hellenic cultural history. Teaching: Courses on the Mediterranean’s historical trajectory, Ottoman Empire studies, and early modern global connections. She advises students on topics spanning Ottoman social history, Mediterranean maritime networks, and interfaith historiography. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Greene’s interdisciplinary approach integrates archival research from multiple languages and regions, emphasizing the Mediterranean as a cohesive yet diverse space. She is a leading voice in redefining narratives of early modern empire and cross-cultural interaction.

• Ottoman Studies
• Early Modern Mediterranean History
• Christian-Muslim Relations
• +3 more

Michael Christopher Low is an Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Middle East Center at the University of Utah. He specializes in late Ottoman Empire, Arabian Peninsula history, Indian Ocean World studies, and environmental history. His research focuses on the intersections of empire, environment, and global networks, particularly through the lens of the Hajj pilgrimage and water infrastructure in the Middle East. Low earned his Ph.D. in History from Columbia University (2015). Before joining Utah, he was an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University (2015–2022). His major work, *Imperial Mecca: Ottoman Arabia and the Indian Ocean Hajj* (2020), won the Middle East Studies Association’s Albert Hourani Book Award and explores Ottoman modernization and global health dynamics in the Hijaz region. He is currently working on a new book project, *Saltwater Kingdoms*, examining desalination’s environmental and energy impacts in Arabia. Key affiliations include the Environmental Humanities Program (as Research Professor, 2023–2025), NYU Abu Dhabi (Senior Humanities Fellow, 2020–2021), and Koç University (Visiting Fellowship, 2016). He serves as Series Editor for *Transregional Middle Easts* and on editorial boards for journals like *Journal of Global History*. Awards include the Alice Hamilton Prize (2016) for environmental history, and grants from Columbia University, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the William Lind Foundation. His research spans Ottoman public health policies, colonial Hajj logistics, and the hydraulic history of the Saudi state.

• Late Ottoman Empire
• Arabian Peninsula
• Indian Ocean World
• +3 more

Nizar F. Hermes serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies at the University of Virginia, concurrently holding the position of Director of Graduate Studies. His office is located in 141 New Cabell Hall, with Spring 2025 office hours held Tuesdays from 12:00-3:00 PM. He maintains dual professional email contacts through the university system. His academic foundation includes: PhD in Comparative Literature, University of Toronto Dr. Hermes' research program centers on North African and Mediterranean literary traditions, with deep specialization in premodern Arabic-Islamic cultural production. His work investigates poetic representations of urban spaces, cross-cultural encounters between the Islamic world and Europe, and the transmission of literary heritage across the Mediterranean. Particular attention is given to Maghribī poetic imagination, elegiac traditions, and the intersection of literature with food history and refugee experiences. His methodological approach combines close textual analysis with historical contextualization to reveal continuities in Arab literary consciousness. Analysis of his recent publications (2014-2025) reveals three dominant scholarly trajectories: 1) The literary reconstruction of North African cities through poetic elegies, 2) Cross-cultural encounters documented in Arabic travel literature and folk poetry, and 3) The representation of European 'others' in medieval Arabic texts. His 2024 monograph 'Of Lost Cities' synthesizes these threads while his edited volume 'The City in Arabic Literature' (2018) establishes foundational frameworks for urban studies in Arabic literary criticism. No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials. While his role as Director of Graduate Studies indicates active mentorship responsibilities, specific student advisees and grant funding details were not provided in the available documentation. His scholarly output demonstrates sustained engagement with graduate education through publications on teaching methodologies for Arabic humanistic literature. No dedicated research laboratories or formal collaborative teams were referenced, though his co-edited volumes and multi-author publications suggest active participation in scholarly communities focused on Mediterranean studies and comparative literature.

• North African and Mediterranean Studies
• Premodern Arabic-Islamic Studies
• Comparative and World Literatures and Cultures
• +3 more

Barbara Fuchs is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Los Angeles, specializing in early modern European literature across Spanish, English, French, and Italian traditions from the 15th to 17th centuries. Her work emphasizes transnational contexts, theater and performance studies, and cultural production within imperial frameworks, with significant contributions to Mediterranean and transatlantic studies. Education Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Stanford University (1997) B.A./M.A. in Comparative Literature (English, French, Spanish), summa cum laude, Yale University (1992) Research Interests Professor Fuchs' scholarship centers on transnationalism in early modern literature, examining how theater and performance negotiated imperial identities across Mediterranean and transatlantic contexts. Her work critically engages with race and religion in the early modern world, picaresque traditions, and Cervantes studies, revealing how cultural encounters shaped literary production. She bridges historical analysis with contemporary relevance through public humanities initiatives focused on classical Hispanic theater. Publication Trends Her recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary innovation, merging literary analysis with performance studies and material culture. Recurring themes include transnational exchange mechanisms, racial formation processes, and textual materiality, while recent work addresses pandemic-era digital performance and modern adaptations of classical works. This trajectory highlights her commitment to connecting historical scholarship with current social and artistic practices. Scientific Awards Premio Ñ from the Instituto Cervantes (inaugural award) for promotion of Spanish language and culture Advising and Leadership Professor Fuchs mentors undergraduate and graduate students in early modern studies, translation, and performance. She leads the UCLA "Diversifying the Classics" initiative and LA Escena festival, securing institutional support for these collaborative projects. Her editorial leadership includes serving as articles editor for Renaissance Quarterly and co-editing the Norton Anthology of World Literature , demonstrating field-wide influence. Projects and Teams She directs the "Diversifying the Classics" initiative, which collaborates with theater professionals to adapt Hispanic classical works for contemporary Los Angeles audiences, and founded LA Escena—the biennial festival of Hispanic classical theater. These projects unite scholars, artists, and communities to explore historical texts through modern performance lenses, emphasizing accessibility and cultural relevance.

• Early Modern Literature
• Transnationalism
• Theater and Performance
• +7 more

Marwa Elshakry is an Associate Professor at Columbia University, specializing in the history of science, technology, and medicine in the modern Middle East. Her research bridges cultural and intellectual history with the study of scientific exchange and adaptation. Ph.D. — Princeton University (2003) M.A. — Princeton University (1997) B.A. — Rutgers University (1995) Her work critically examines the cultural politics of scientific translation, the role of religion in shaping scientific discourse, and the transnational movement of ideas. She has published extensively on topics like Darwinism in Arabic, the intersection of science and scripture, and the colonial dynamics of scientific knowledge transfer. Marwa's publications highlight themes such as the historiographical challenges of mapping science's global journey, the theological interpretations of scientific concepts in Islamic contexts, and the impact of missionary activities on scientific education in the Ottoman Empire. Her scholarship underscores the agency of non-Western actors in recontextualizing scientific knowledge.

• History of Science
• Technology History
• Medicine History
• +3 more

Heather Ferguson is an Associate Professor of History at Claremont McKenna College, specializing in Ottoman and Middle Eastern History. Her research focuses on early modern empires, archival practices, and legal/urban transformations in the Mediterranean. She holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. from UT Austin. Notable works include *The Proper Order of Things* (2018) and her current project on Ottoman-Habsburg archival dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in History, University of California, Berkeley M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, University of Texas at Austin Awards: American Council of Learned Societies Fellow (2014–2015) National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (2019) ACLS Burkhardt Fellowship (2020) Her research integrates comparative imperial studies, exploring how archives and legal frameworks shaped governance in Ottoman and Habsburg contexts. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, linking ethics, power dynamics, and urban development. Ferguson serves as Editor for the *Review of Middle East Studies* and Associate Editor for the *International Journal of Islamic Architecture*. Her publications trace themes of archival mobility, legal discourses, and Mediterranean identities. Current projects investigate 'last acts' in imperial courts and the interplay between statecraft and documentary practices. Grants and Fellowships: Extensive support from ACLS, NEH, Ford Foundation, and FLAS programs. Service: Claremont Faculty Leadership Program member and academic editor roles. Ferguson’s work bridges historical analysis with contemporary scholarly debates, advocating for multi-perspectival research in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.

• Early Modern Statecraft
• Evolution of Muslim Societies
• History of Ethics
• +9 more

Nancy Reynolds is an Associate Professor of History at Washington University in St. Louis, with affiliate appointments in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies. Her research focuses on environmental and social-cultural history of twentieth-century Egypt, examining political-material intersections in built environments from department stores to dams. Her academic background includes: PhD in History from Stanford University MA in History from Stanford University BA from Harvard University Reynolds' scholarship spans Environmental History , Social History , and Urban Studies , with emphasis on how mundane objects (socks, store floors) and monumental structures (Aswan Dam, temples) reflect nationalist struggles. Her work critically engages gender dynamics and decolonization , revealing how consumption patterns and urban spaces became sites of political contestation in semicolonial Egypt. Her 13 publications (2000-2024) demonstrate an evolution from consumer culture studies (department stores, Cairo Fire) to environmental history (Aswan Dam, desert ecologies), with recent collaborative work on Middle Eastern wastelands and sustainable architecture. The 2024 corpus particularly emphasizes political ecologies and materialized absence. Her scientific recognition includes: Roger Owen Book Award (2013) for A City Consumed American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship (2012) Bernadotte E. Schmitt Grant (2010) Stanford Humanities Center Geballe Dissertation Prize Social Science Research Council Fellowship Reynolds actively shapes graduate education as former administrator of History and JIMES PhD/MA programs. Her research is sustained by major grants including a Mellon Sawyer Seminar (2016-2018) and Mellon New Directions Fellowship (2014-2016), both supporting transregional collaborations on environmental humanities. She co-leads the Grounding the Ecocritical research collective with Dr. Anne-Marie McManus, producing the "Following Absence" symposium and CSSAAME special section on Middle Eastern wastelands.

• Environmental History
• Social History
• Cultural History
• +4 more

Dov Cohen is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois, with extensive cross-disciplinary affiliations including the Information Trust Institute, College of Law, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. His academic home resides within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Professor Cohen's research centers on Cultural Psychology with specific expertise in honor cultures, institutional inversion, and cross-cultural value systems. His work examines how cultural frameworks shape cognition, emotion, and behavior - particularly regarding violence, debt, and religious influences. Notable contributions include the development of the 'institutional inversion' framework explaining discrepancies between collective attitudes and behaviors, and pioneering research on honor cultures in the American South. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions across top journals including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , Current Directions in Psychological Science , and Social Psychology . Recent work explores East-West relationship differences, gendered language in financial contexts, and the psychological mechanisms underlying cultural transmission. Cohen maintains active research programs examining the embodied nature of culture through psychological perspective and physical comportment. His theoretical work integrates Lewinian field theory with contemporary cultural psychology frameworks. As a mentor, Professor Cohen advises graduate students in Psychology and related interdisciplinary programs, fostering research that bridges cultural psychology with law, economics, and religious studies. His collaborative projects frequently involve international teams examining cultural phenomena across diverse national contexts.

• Cultural Psychology
• Honor Cultures
• Institutional Inversion
• +7 more