Milad Milani

Dr. Milad Milani is a Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at Western Sydney University and a School-based Member of the Institute for Culture and Society. He leads the Humanities Religious Studies Research Collective and co-leads the Sufi Studies Network (Monash University). He serves on the editorial boards of Sophia and the Journal for the Academic Study of Religion. From 2023–2025, he was President of the Australian Association for the Study of Religion. His expertise focuses on Islam and Sufism, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to peace and understanding.

Education: PhD and BA in Religious Studies from the University of Sydney.

Research Interests:

• Sufism and its philosophical dimensions (e.g., Heideggerian ontology)
• Islamic mysticism and its global manifestations
• Gender dynamics in Sufi traditions
• Sufi political thought and modernity
• Interfaith dialogue and civic roles of Sufi orders

Publications Trends: Recent works critically examine Sufism through existential philosophy, Islamic identity in modern contexts, and gendered holiness. His analysis bridges historical narratives with contemporary challenges, emphasizing ontology, political culture, and cross-cultural influences.

Awards: Includes the Australian Postgraduate Award, Early Career Research Fellowship, and recognition for contributions to religious education and community projects.

Advising & Grants: Supervised 2 HDR completions. Secured grants such as the Community Grant Blacktown Arts ($29,000) and Early Career Research Fellowship ($20,000). Active in editorial roles and academic leadership.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Humanities Religious Studies Research Collective and co-leads the Sufi Studies Network, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in Sufi studies and global religious dynamics.