Expert Source: Ali Akbar Mahdi, Ph.D.

Ali Akbar Mahdi, Ph.D., is a specialist in the political economy of change, gender, race, and development in the Middle East. He has authored books including “Culture and Customs of Iran” and “Teen Life in the Middle East,” as well as numerous articles and reviews on topics ranging from sociology of knowledge to the political economy of Iran and Islam. Mahdi’s current research focuses on women and youth in Iranian civil society and Iranian immigrants in the United States.

Education:

• B.A., National University of Iran
• M.A., Ph.D., Michigan State University

Areas of Expertise:

• Political economy of change, gender, race, and development in the Middle East
• Iranian culture and society

Selected Publications:

• Co-author, “Culture and Customs of Iran”
• “Teen Life in the Middle East”
• Co-author, “Sociology in Iran”
• “Sociology of the Iranian Family”
• “Resources for Teaching Sociology of Development and Women in International Development”
• “Iranian Culture, Civil Society, and Concern for Democracy”