Prof Alan Williams Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion
Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion

Biography
Profile:
- MA in Oriental Studies (Persian and Arabic) (Oxford),
- PhD in Iranian Studies (SOAS, London)
- Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion
- Head of Religions and Theology in the School of Arts Histories and Cultures 2008-2011
- Joined the University of Manchester in 1985
For books and articles etc see under Publications, and for lectures see under Research Interests
External positions
Full Member of Governing Council and Trustee, British Institute of Persian Studies
30 Nov 2017 → 30 Nov 2019
Chair of Research Committee, British Institute of Persian Studies
30 Nov 2017 → 30 Nov 2019
Chair of the Trust, E.J.W. Gibb Memorial Trust
26 May 2017 → 25 May 2019
Director of Medieval Research Programme, British Institute of Persian Studies
1 Apr 2014 → 1 Apr 2018
Trustee, E.J.W. Gibb Memorial Trust
1 Jan 2011 → 1 Jan 2021
Member of Academic Council, Iran Heritage Foundation
1 Apr 2010 → 1 Apr 2020
Asst. Editor, Mawlana Rumi Review
1 Jan 2008 → 1 Jan 2021
Areas of expertise
- PK Indo-Iranian - Persian, Pahlavi, Avestan and other Middle and Ancient Iranian languages
- PI Oriental languages and literatures - Arabic and Modern Persian, Classical Persian
- BL Religion - Zoroastrianism, Islam, Sufism, the history of religions
Education / academic qualifications
- 1984 - Doctor of Philosophy, Iranian Studies, SOAS University of London (1976 - 1979)
- 1978 - Master of Arts, Oriental Studies (Persian and Arabic), Oxford University (1973 - 1976)
Related information
Publications
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
Media coverage and contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
Press/Media: Expert comment
Press/Media: Expert comment