Michal Biran

Michal Biran serves as the Max and Sophie Mydans Foundation Professor in the Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) and has led the Institute of Asian and African Study since October 2021. She is an elected member of the Israeli Academy of Science and Humanities and currently holds a visiting scholar position at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) within the "Ability and Authority" research group.

Her academic foundation includes a PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2000), which launched her distinguished career examining premodern trans-regional networks. Professor Biran's research program systematically investigates historical intersections between Inner Asia, imperial China, and the medieval Islamic world through comparative frameworks.

Specializing in Mongol Empire dynamics, she produces groundbreaking work on Mongol and pre-Mongol Central Asia (particularly Qara Khitai and Chaghadaid khanates), cross-cultural diplomatic practices, nomadic governance structures, and Ilkhanid Baghdad's historical significance. Her methodology integrates migration studies with comparative empire analysis to reveal complex patterns of cultural exchange.

Her scholarly recognition includes election to the Israeli Academy of Science and Humanities, affirming her impact on historical scholarship.

Current research involves the "Yuan diplomatic corpus in comparative perspective" project at MPIWG, where she analyzes Yuan dynasty diplomatic protocols within broader Eurasian statecraft traditions through collaboration with the "Ability and Authority" research group.