Dr. Fatemeh Shams

Biography

Fatemeh Shams is an associate professor of Persian literature at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also serves as the Graduate Chair. Her scholarly work lies at the intersection of sociology, gender studies, and literature, focusing on literary production and the politicization of practice. Shams is the author of the critical monograph, 'Revolution Rhyme: Poetic Co-Option of the Islamic Republic' published by Oxford University Press in 2021, which offers a groundbreaking account of literary canon formation under the autocratic rule of the Islamic Republic in contrast to the Soviet experience. As an internationally acclaimed poet and activist, her poetry addresses struggles related to tyranny, sexual violence, and alienation, reflecting her experiences of living in exile. Shams has been recognized for her work with several literary awards, including the Jaleh Esfahani Poetry Award and the Latifeh Yarshater Prize. She has also been awarded a fellowship from the Humboldt Foundation, where she spent significant time conducting research on modern Iranian exile poetry. A vocal advocate for gender equality and women's rights, particularly for Iranian and Afghan women, Shams’s opinions have been featured in major media outlets. She has been named a 2024 Greeley Peace Scholar at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and is a board member of an international network promoting women's leadership and human rights.

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