Dr. Syed Hyder

Biography

Syed Akbar Hyder is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where he serves as the Director of the South Asia Institute in the Department of Asian Studies. His research interests focus on South Asian aesthetics, particularly in relation to Urdu literature and mystical Muslim traditions. He is actively involved in developing assessment tools for Urdu language instructors and offers expert testimony pro-bono for individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States. Hyder collaborates with K-12 educators to incorporate humanities studies into school curricula. He is the author of 'Reliving Karbala: Martyrdom and South Asian Memory', which explores the complexity of religious symbols and their varying interpretations in South Asia. Additionally, he co-authored 'A’iye Urdu Parhen: Let’s Study Urdu', a foundational textbook for Urdu students that has received significant acclaim. His ongoing work includes a monograph tentatively titled 'Lives of Passion and Paradox: Josh Malihabadi and His Peers', dedicated to literary and cultural debates within Persian and Urdu traditions.

Research Interests