Ehsan Estiri

Ehsan Estiri is a Temporary Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Utah State University, specializing in cultural anthropology and religious studies. He is based at the Logan campus, with his office located in RWST 207. His interdisciplinary research employs ethnographic methods to explore contemporary Islam in the U.S., particularly how religious identity is shaped at the intersection of race, gender, politics, sect, and media.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D., 2020 – Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (Cultural Anthropology of the Middle East), The Ohio State University
• M.A., 2014 – Folk Studies and Anthropology, Western Kentucky University
• M.S., 2010 – Social (Cultural) Anthropology with Specialization in Film Ethnography, Dalarna University, Sweden

Dr. Estiri’s research interests lie at the convergence of cultural anthropology, religious studies, and visual anthropology. He investigates how new forms of Islamic expression emerge in American contexts, with a strong emphasis on the role of media and representation. His unique background as an ethnographic filmmaker informs his methodological approach, particularly in capturing and portraying the sacred through visual media.

His work integrates film and photography as both research tools and forms of scholarly output. He has created multiple films and photographic exhibitions focused on cultural and religious representation, especially the depiction of spirituality in visual form. These creative projects serve as complementary expressions of his academic inquiry.

While no scientific awards or publications are listed in the provided text, his interdisciplinary profile bridges anthropology, religion, and film, suggesting a commitment to innovative, multimodal scholarship.

Dr. Estiri advises students in anthropology and related fields, though no specific advisees are named. There is no mention of grant funding or research teams. His work may involve collaborations in visual and digital anthropology, particularly in projects that combine ethnographic research with audiovisual storytelling.

He is actively engaged in research and teaching, with a focus on expanding the methodological boundaries of anthropological inquiry through film. Future work may continue to explore the visual dimensions of religious life in diverse cultural contexts, particularly within diasporic Muslim communities in North America.