Dr. Afsaneh Najmabadi

Biography

Afsaneh Najmabadi is the Francis Lee Higginson Professor of History at Harvard University, where she specializes in the studies of women, gender, and sexuality from a historical perspective. As an emeritus faculty associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, she has made significant contributions to understanding sociocultural transformations in the modern Middle East and South Asia. Her work integrates perspectives from various disciplines to analyze the complexities of gender and sexuality in these regions, offering critical insights into social structures and cultural narratives. Through her research, she engages with historical texts and contemporary issues, providing a nuanced understanding of women's roles and experiences in society. Najmabadi has published widely on these topics and is recognized as a leading scholar in her field, actively influencing both academic discourse and public understanding of gender studies.

Research Interests