Much of my research continues to explore the archaeology and material culture of the Islamic world with particular attention to the ways in which religious traditions shape and are shaped by the lived landscape. Other projects have included Arabic manuscripts from Timbuktu with an interest in the ways that vernacular forms of heritage have shaped Muslim approaches and engagements with the past. More recently I have been developing the AnthroLab at UCI for the development of new pedagogical models using generative AI tools, collection building (material, digital, and imaginal), and experiential learning with various world building platforms – the archaeological record among them.
Ian Straughn
Associate Professor of Teaching (LSOE), Anthropology
SBSG 3544
Key Research Area
Archaeology, Middle East, Islam, Heritage, Manuscripts, Pedagogy
Professional Bio
- Fulbright Fellow (Syria)
- Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford University
- Adjunct Asst. Professor 2012-2016, Department of Anthropology, Brown University
- Postdoctoral Fellow 2009-2011. The Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, Department of Egyptology and Ancient Western Asian Studies, Brown University
- Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow 2007-2009 Cogut Center for the Humanities, Brown University
- Visiting Assistant Professor 2006-2007 The Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, Brown University
- Lecturer 2005 International Studies Program, The University of Chicago
Education
Stanford – BA in Anthropology
University of Chicago – MA in Anthropology
University of Chicago – PhD. in Anthropology