Dr. Melanie Tanielian

Biography

Melanie S. Tanielian is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Director of the Program in International Comparative Studies. She earned her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 2012. Her research focuses on the social and cultural history of the modern Middle East, particularly during World War I, exploring topics such as the emergence of religious philanthropic societies and the history of humanitarianism. Tanielian's monograph, "Charity War: Famine, Humanitarian Aid, and World War in the Middle East," published by Stanford University Press in 2017, examines the impact of wartime famine on communities in Beirut. She is currently working on a new book titled "Fantasies of Humanitarianism/Humanitarian Fantasies" and holds an interest in the complex relationships between war, society, and citizenship. Her research has been supported by the American Council of Learned Societies and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She has published numerous articles on related topics and continues to contribute significantly to the field of Middle Eastern history, particularly concerning humanitarian efforts and public health during periods of conflict.

Research Interests