John Turner

John Turner is an Associate Professor of History and Associate Chair of the Department of History at Colby College. He has been a faculty member since 2006, serving as Chair from 2014-2022 and Associate Director of the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs from 2010-2014. His research focuses on the intersection of political and religious authority in the Islamic world, particularly the development of Islamic law and the dynamics of power in premodern and modern Middle Eastern contexts.

• Education:
• Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2001
• M.A., University of Michigan, 1996
• B.A., Furman University, 1993

His expertise includes the history of the premodern and modern Middle East, Islamic law (especially the Hanbali School), and Iran. He explores themes such as heresy, group categorization, and the legitimation of power in the 8th–10th century Caliphate. His notable work, Inquisition in Early Islam, examines the Mihna of the 9th century. Turner has taught courses ranging from Islamic foundations to modern Middle Eastern history, including specialized topics like the Crusades and modern Egypt.

He has held administrative roles enhancing his academic contributions and has conducted fieldwork in Syria and Iran, studying Arabic and Persian to deepen his research.