Mark S. Wagner

Mark S. Wagner is a Professor of Arabic at Louisiana State University (LSU), affiliated with the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. His research focuses on Classical and vernacular Arabic literature, Islamic law, and Muslim-Jewish relations, with recent emphasis on ethnic humor in Yemeni poetry. He holds a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from New York University (2004).

Educational Background: Received his Ph.D. in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from New York University (2004). Earlier degrees not explicitly listed but implied through academic career progression.

Research Interests: Specializes in analyzing legal and literary interactions between Muslim and Jewish communities in Yemen, including case studies like the Kuhlani Synagogue dispute (1933-1944) and the 1914 fatwa on the Zohar. Current projects explore humoristic ethnic themes in Yemeni poetry targeting Jewish communities, reflecting broader socio-cultural dynamics.

Awards & Honors: Recipient of the LSU Senior Scholar Rainmaker Award (2022), David J. Kriskovich Distinguished Professorship (2011-2013), and a National Jewish Book Award Finalist (2015). Notable fellowships include the Institut d’études avancées de Paris (2017) and the University of Pennsylvania’s Katz Center (2018-2019).

Grants & Visits: Held SIAS Summer Institute and AIYS research grants, alongside National Foundation for Jewish Culture support for his dissertation. His work bridges Islamic legal studies with interfaith cultural history, emphasizing under-researched Yemeni contexts.

Labs/Teams: No dedicated lab mentioned, but collaborates with international institutions through fellowships and visiting scholar roles. Engages with global networks in Middle Eastern studies and Judaic studies via partnerships like the Katz Center.