Dr. Avi Lifschitz

Biography

Avi Lifschitz is a Professor at the University of Oxford, specialising in Intellectual History and Enlightenment Studies. He joined the History Faculty and Magdalen College in 2017, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules while supervising at master’s and doctoral levels. His research focuses on the intellectual and cultural history of Europe during the long 18th century (circa 1680-1815) with particular interest in links between Enlightenment political theory, the 'science of man', and theology. Lifschitz has held fellowships at various prestigious institutions, including the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin and the Clark Library at UCLA. He is involved in the Oxford Centre for Intellectual History and the Voltaire Foundation as the Academic Programme Director. His significant works include editing a modern English edition of Frederick the Great's writings and publishing books on the philosophical influence of key Enlightenment thinkers such as Lessing and Rousseau. Lifschitz actively supervises DPhil and MSt/MPhil students interested in European Enlightenment topics, particularly concerning cross-cultural transfer and the influences during the 18th-century period. He contributes to academic discourse through various seminars and workshops and has received numerous grants and awards for his impactful research.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards