Professor

Suzanne Conklin Akbari

School of Historical Studies
Medieval Studies
Affiliation
Historical Studies
Home Institution
University of Toronto
Website
Individual Homepage

Suzanne Conklin Akbari has expanded the range and methods of exploring texts from the Middle Ages, pushing the boundaries of traditional readings and exploring shared histories. Her research has traced the evolving relationship between sight and knowledge as manifested in a range of poetic texts, explored the relationship between Islam and Christianity, challenged the notion of medieval European literature’s insularity, and highlighted the influence of Arabic poetry, music, and philosophy. She is currently working on a survey of metaphor and metamorphosis as they were understood in England and France circa 1400, and an examination of how premodern people saw themselves situated in history. 

Dates at IAS
Faculty
  • Historical Studies
7/2019–current
Degrees
Columbia University Ph.D., 1995
Columbia University M.Phil., 1991
Johns Hopkins University B.A., 1984
Honors
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant for "The Book and the Silk Roads" 2019–21
Faculty Award, University of Toronto 2013
Insight Grant, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2012–18
Chancellor Jackman Research Fellowship in the Humanities 2006–07
Faculty of Arts and Science Outstanding Teaching Award (Humanities), University of Toronto 2001
Appointments
University of Toronto, Department of English Professor 2009–19; Associate Professor 2001–09; Assistant Professor 1995–2001
University of Toronto, Centre for Medieval Studies Director 2013–19; Placement Coordinator 2009–11; Ph.D. Coordinator 2003–08
University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies 2015–2016 Special Advisor to the Dean, Graduate Program Innovation. Cross-appointed to Centre for Comparative Literature; Centre for Jewish Studies; Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies; Institute for Islamic Studies; University College
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