Dr. Samer Ali

Biography

Samer Ali is an Associate Professor specializing in Arabic Islamic studies at the University of Michigan, focusing on the intersections of linguistic anthropology and critical race studies within Orientalist paradigms. His research emphasizes the transmission of knowledge in Arabic humanities, particularly through the lens of the Islamic madrasa-college curriculum, and the social contexts that shape this educational structure. Ali's work critically examines the multiplicity of cultural production in the Arabic-Islamic world and seeks to challenge established tropes of passive Arab women in scholarship, as evidenced by his contributions to the Oxford Handbook of Islam and Women. He has authored and co-edited significant works on Arabic literary salons, exploring the vibrant social life of poetry and music during the Islamic Middle Ages. Ali's scholarship has been recognized with various awards from prestigious institutions, and he has significantly contributed to program development in Middle Eastern and North African studies. He has also played a vital role in mentoring graduate students who have successfully placed in academic positions across several universities. His teaching delves into Jahili, Umayyad, and Abbasid poetry, Islamic law, and the broader cultural context of medieval Arabo-Islamic studies.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards