Randa Jarrar

Randa Jarrar is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at California State University, Fresno. She is a celebrated author, performer, and educator known for her memoir Love Is an Ex-Country, the novel A Map of Home, and the short story collection Him, Me, Muhammad Ali. Her work explores themes of identity, race, gender, and trauma through the lens of personal narrative.

• Education: MFA in Creative Writing (University of Michigan), MA in Middle East Studies (University of Texas at Austin), BA in Liberal Arts (Sarah Lawrence College)

Research Interests span creative writing, Arab-American experiences, queer narratives, and cultural studies. Her memoirs critically examine systemic racism, domestic violence, body image, and self-liberation during the Trump era, blending humor and introspection.

Scientific Awards include the Creative Capital Award, American Book Award, and fellowships from Civitella Ranieri, Lannan Foundation, Hedgebrook, and PEN. She has also contributed to prominent publications like The New York Times Magazine, Salon, and BuzzFeed.

Media and Film: Jarrar appeared in Hulu’s RAMY and is developing a feature film, further expanding her narrative work into performance arts.