Michael Allan

Michael Allan is an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Cinema Studies at the University of Oregon, with affiliations in Arabic and Middle East Studies. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University.

• Education: B.A., Brown University (2000); Ph.D., UC Berkeley (2008).

His research bridges textual analysis with social theory, focusing on postcolonial studies, media theory, and the anthropology of secularism. He explores these themes primarily in Africa and the Middle East, integrating methods from anthropology and religion.

Key trends across his publications include postcolonial voice dynamics, media ecology, hermeneutics, and intersections of religion, queer theory, and colonial resistance. His work often reimagines traditional literary frameworks through interdisciplinary lenses.

• Scientific Awards:
  • EUME Fellow (2011-12, 2017-18)
  • Townsend Fellow (2006-07)
  • MLA Prize for a First Book (2016)

Allan serves on editorial boards for Comparative Literature, Journal of World Literature, and other journals. He has held leadership roles in the American Comparative Literature Association and Modern Language Association.