Timothy Samuel Shah

Timothy Samuel Shah serves as a Research Professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Dallas, specializing in religious freedom, religion and global politics, and the history of political thought. Based in Bangalore, India with his wife Rebecca Shah, he maintains active scholarly engagement through international research initiatives and institutional partnerships.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D., Harvard University (2002)
• A.B., Harvard University (1992)

Shah's research program critically examines religious freedom as a foundational human right within evolving global political systems. He investigates historical roots in political philosophy—particularly through Hugo Grotius' secular liberalism—and analyzes contemporary challenges across diverse cultural contexts. His empirical work emphasizes practical strategies for advancing religious liberty, with specialized focus on South and Southeast Asia where complex sociopolitical dynamics intersect with religious identity.

His publication record reveals a cohesive scholarly trajectory centered on defending religious freedom through multidisciplinary lenses. Works span historical analysis of political liberalism's secular foundations, anthropological explorations of religion's role in human experience, and urgent examinations of Christian responses to persecution—demonstrating consistent integration of political theory, religious studies, and international relations.

No scientific awards were documented in the source material.

Shah directs significant research initiatives including a Templeton Religion Trust-funded project (2017-2020) analyzing religious freedom landscapes in South and Southeast Asia. He serves as principal investigator for the Freedom of Religious Institutions in Society (FORIS) project at the Religious Freedom Institute and holds a senior fellowship at the Archbridge Institute, translating academic research into actionable policy frameworks for protecting religious institutions globally.