Dr. Derek Penslar

Biography

Derek Penslar is the William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History at Harvard University and serves as a Faculty Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. His scholarly work is focused on Modern Jewish history, encompassing a range of topics including the politics and society of Israel/Palestine, the emotional dimensions of history, nationalism, anticolonial movements, and postcolonial state building. Penslar has made significant contributions to understanding the complexities of Jewish historical narratives and their implications in contemporary contexts. Through his role at the Center for Jewish Studies, he fosters interdisciplinary dialogues and research initiatives that deepen the understanding of Jewish history in a global framework. He has published extensively on these subjects, providing insights into the historical forces that shape Jewish identities and experiences.

Research Interests