Alireza Doostdar is an esteemed faculty member at the University of Chicago, where he serves as an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and the Anthropology of Religion. With a robust academic background, Doostdar earned his PhD in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University in 2012. His scholarly pursuits are deeply rooted in the anthropology of religion, with a particular focus on Islam, modernity, and the supernatural in Iran.
Doostdar's research delves into the intricate intersections of religious movements and the state, exploring how modernist universalist religious movements and state entanglements with sorcery shape contemporary Islamic thought. He is particularly interested in the decades-long project of Islamizing the sciences in Iran, a subject that has profound implications for understanding the relationship between religion and science in the modern world.
In addition to his research, Doostdar is passionate about teaching, guiding students through the complexities of Islamic spiritual cinema and the uncanny aspects of religious experience. His courses often challenge students to think critically about the role of religion in shaping cultural and social dynamics.
His first book, "The Iranian Metaphysicals: Explorations in Science, Islam, and the Uncanny," published by Princeton University Press in 2018, has been widely acclaimed. The book received the prestigious 2018 Albert Hourani Book Award from the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) and the 2020 Vinson Sutlive Book Prize from the Anthropology Department at William & Mary, underscoring its significant contribution to the field.
Doostdar continues to contribute to academic discourse through his research and publications, offering fresh insights into the complex interplay between religion, science, and modernity. His work not only enriches the academic community but also provides valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of Islamic studies and anthropology.
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The University of Chicago's Anthropology Department is a globally recognized center for the comprehensive and integrated study of human societies and cultures across time and space. Situated in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the department provides a rich environment for exploring the complexities of human experience through social and cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Known for its holistic approach, the department maintains traditional strengths while actively investigating emerging theoretical interests, fostering a dynamic space for understanding the material and imaginary forms of socio-cultural life and what it means to be human.
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The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, U of C, or UChi) is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The university has its main campus in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. It was founded in 1890 by oil magnate John D. Rockefeller with the goal of creating a "university of the highest grade". UChicago is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world.
