Reza Daftarian

Reza Daftarian is a PhD Researcher and Associate Lecturer at The Courtauld Institute of Art, London. His research focuses on the sensory and socio-historical dimensions of ayeneh-kari (mirror-work) in Iranian palaces and shrines from 1612–1919, supervised by Dr. Sussan Babaie. He holds an MSc from MIT’s Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture and a BA from Bard College.

• Education: PhD candidate at The Courtauld (2022–), MSc from MIT (2019–2021), BA from Bard College (2015–2018), Certificate from Bard College Berlin (2016–2017)

His research interests include early modern Islamic urbanism, Shi’i shrine culture, and phenomenological approaches to art. He has curated exhibitions at the High Museum of Art and served as a research assistant at MIT. His awards include the CHASE Fellowship and MIT’s Thesis Prize.

• Key Research Themes: Mirror-work aesthetics, sensory experience in sacred spaces, Safavid to Qajar architectural transitions, Islamic material culture.