Sussan Babaie

Professor Sussan Babaie is a leading historian of Iranian and Islamic art, holding the prestigious position of Professor in the Arts of Iran and Islam at The Courtauld Institute of Art since 2013. Her academic journey spans institutions like the University of Tehran (Graphic Design), American University (MA in Italian Renaissance and American Arts), and NYU (PhD in Islamic Arts). She has held roles such as Head of Admission and Graduate Diploma Coordinator at The Courtauld, and currently serves as President of the Association for the Study of Persianate Societies.

Her research focuses on transcultural methodologies, early modern Safavid art and urbanism, and Mongol cultural legacies. Notable projects include co-curating the 2027 Royal Academy exhibition on the Mongol Empire and authoring influential works like *Isfahan and its Palaces* (2008) and *Iran After the Mongols* (2019). Babaie has received grants from the NEH, Fulbright, and Getty, and holds editorial roles in journals like *Journal of Architectural History*.

Babaie’s teaching innovations include the MA Special Option on Mongol arts and the ‘Trans-Asias’ collaborative project. She has advised over a dozen PhD students and co-curated exhibitions such as *Strolling in Isfahan* (2010) and installations at Lisbon’s Gulbenkian Museum. Her work bridges historical and contemporary art, addressing themes like food/art intersections and cultural heritage preservation.

Awards include the 2009 MESAS Book Award for *Isfahan and its Palaces* and recognition for her exhibition curation. She actively contributes to academic governance, serving on boards of institutions like the British Institute of Persian Studies and *Muqarnas*.