Adam Sabra

Adam Sabra is a Professor and King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud Chair in Islamic Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (1998). His research focuses on pre-modern Middle Eastern history, particularly Egypt, with emphasis on medieval and early modern periods. Key areas include social/cultural history of Cairo, poverty/charity systems, legal history, and Islamic mysticism.

Education:

• Ph.D. in History, Princeton University, 1998

Research Interests:

• Medieval Egyptian urban society and economy
• Sufi orders and spiritual lineages
• Legal and charitable institutions under Mamluk and Ottoman rule
• Families and social mobility in early modern Egypt

Recent Scholarship Trends: Recent work examines aristocratic families in Ottoman Egypt (1500–1800) and integrates hagiography into social history analysis. His publications span topics like waqf systems, artisan-scholar networks, and gender dynamics in Sufi literature.

Scientific Awards & Activities:

• Cleveland Bayard Dodge Distinguished Visiting Professorship at AUC (2014–15)
• Member, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (2012–13)
• National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow

Advising & Grants: Advises graduate students Nicholas Liu and Ibrahim Mansour. His research has been supported by fellowships from NEH and the American Research Center in Egypt.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with scholars in Islamic studies through edited volumes and international research networks.