Aria Fani (he/him/his)

Aria's research and teaching focus on modern Persian literature and translation studies. His first book, Reading across Borders: Afghans, Iranians, and Literary Nationalism, published by the University of Texas Press, details the dynamic and interconnected ways Afghans and Iranians invented their modern selves through new ideas about literature (adabiyāt). Its Persian translation was published by Shirazeh Press in Iran in September 2024.

Aria engages in social advocacy for non-citizen Americans, particularly Central American asylum seekers, which richly nourishes both his teaching and research. Like the past two years, Aria will be co-directing the Translation Studies Hub, funded by the Simpson Center for the Humanities. In the academic year 2024-25, TS Hub will be laying the groundwork for a minor and an advanced certificate in translation studies. 

Teaching (2024/25):

Aria will be offering Afghanistan beyond the Headlines in winter (syllabus), and the Persian Ghazal 455 (syllabus) and MELC 401: Persian Literature in Translation (syllabus) in spring.