Mahyar Entezari

Mahyar Entezari is a Lecturer in Foreign Languages and the Coordinator of the Persian Language Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, within the School of Arts & Sciences. He teaches Persian language at all levels and courses on modern Iran, including Iranian cinema and Middle Eastern literatures.

Education:

• PhD in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, University of Texas at Austin
• MA in Middle Eastern Studies, University of Texas at Austin
• BA in German Studies, University of California, San Diego

His research focuses on national identity, political discourse, and cultural expression in Iran, particularly analyzing the role of cinema, literature, and state rhetoric in shaping collective memory and resistance. He explores how dissident films reflect political ideologies and how pre-Islamic heritage is mobilized in modern Iranian culture.

His recent scholarly work spans topics such as the Iran–Iraq War in dissident cinema, 20th-century Persian prose fiction, and the representation of pre-Islamic history in contemporary Iranian society. These publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary engagement with film, literature, history, and cultural studies.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Fulbright Program award or fellowship
• U.S. Department of State award or fellowship

Mahyar Entezari actively contributes to academic leadership and pedagogical development. He has co-organized the Middle East Film Festival for nearly a decade, served on academic committees, and led teacher training initiatives. His research has been presented at institutions including Princeton University and the United States Military Academy at West Point. While no specific grants are mentioned, his fellowships indicate strong external recognition and support for his scholarly work.

He is affiliated with the American Association of Teachers of Persian and plays a central role in shaping Persian language pedagogy and Iranian cultural studies at Penn.