Radwa El Barouni

Radwa El Barouni is a Lecturer in Foreign Languages and the Coordinator of the Arabic Language Program in the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (MELC) at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts & Sciences. She holds a PhD and Master’s in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, with a focus on Arabic and Persian literary and cultural studies.

Her research explores historical fiction in modern Arabic literature, particularly narratives that engage with the legacy of al-Andalus, challenging dominant historical archives and reimagining the genre of the historical novel. She also investigates the representation of non-human animals in Arabic and Persian texts, analyzing how these portrayals reflect shifting relationships between humans, animals, and environments across theocentric and secular paradigms.

El Barouni has taught Arabic language, literature, and translation at institutions including Williams College, Durham University (UK), and the University of Texas at Austin. She has played a significant role in study abroad programs such as the Flagship Capstone Year Abroad and the Middlebury C.V. Starr program in Egypt, where she served as both instructor and curriculum developer. In 2019, she trained Arabic language faculty in Morocco through the American Councils for International Education and consulted on the Flagship Culture Initiative (2018–2019). She has also contributed to the cultural education platform Khallina, developing content for Arabic language learners.

She currently leads the Arabic Language Program at Penn, overseeing curriculum, pedagogy, and program direction. Her work bridges academic research, language pedagogy, and cultural education, emphasizing critical engagement with historical narratives and intercultural understanding.

While no scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her contributions to curriculum design, faculty development, and cultural resource creation reflect a deep commitment to advancing Arabic language education.

Radwa El Barouni advises and mentors students within the Arabic program, though specific names of advisees are not mentioned. She has been involved in multiple educational initiatives and curriculum development projects, particularly in immersive and study-abroad contexts, indicating active engagement in teaching grants and pedagogical innovation. She does not appear to lead a formal research lab but plays a central role in shaping the academic and cultural environment of the Arabic Language Program at Penn.