Jörg Matthias Determann

Dr. Jörg Matthias Determann is a Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He serves as Associate Editor of the Review of Middle East Studies and Book Review Editor of the Journal of Arabian Studies. He holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and Magister degrees in History and Arabic Studies from the University of Vienna.

• Affiliations: Editorial roles at academic journals, visiting scholarships at institutions like King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.
• Education: PhD in History (SOAS, 2012), Magister (History and Arabic Studies, University of Vienna, 2007).

His research focuses on the history of science, Middle Eastern studies, and the intersection of Islam with astrobiology and extraterrestrial life. He has authored six books, including Historiography in Saudi Arabia (2014), Space Science and the Arab World (2018), and Islamic Theology and Extraterrestrial Life (2024). His current project explores teaching science through science fiction.

Publications span articles on pedagogical innovations, diversity in astronomy, and the cultural implications of scientific discovery. Awards include the 2024 National/International Recognition Award and the 2013 BRISMES Leigh Douglas Memorial Prize.

Teaching specialties include courses on Middle Eastern history, global science without borders, and historical methodology using science fiction. He actively promotes diversity and inclusion in academia, particularly in astronomy and science education.

Service contributions include roles in university committees (e.g., Faculty Awards Committee) and editorial boards. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary issues, emphasizing global collaboration and ethical science communication.