Dr. Hussein Agrama

Biography

Hussein Ali Agrama is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago. He earned his PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 2005. His academic work investigates the intersections of religion, secularism, law, and colonial power, particularly in modern Egypt. Agrama's research interests address questions of how religious and secular authorities are defined and how they influence social and political dynamics in the Middle East and Europe, including Egypt and France. His significant projects include anthropological explorations into the connections between Muslim and Jewish communities within a colonial context, as well as critical examinations of the concepts of tolerance and secularism in contemporary society. Agrama’s work challenges conventional narratives regarding the roles of secular states and the intersections of secrecy and knowledge in the governance of societies, particularly in post-war contexts. His approach combines insights from various disciplines, attempting to bridge gaps between scientific and social theories to develop innovative inquiries into emergent forms of knowledge around phenomena such as UFOs and the broader implications of secularism in understanding human experiences.

Research Interests

Experience