Leadership team
Associate Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature, Institute Director
Professor Christina Phillips
Tina Phillips is Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature. Tina’s research interests are Arabic and Arab Anglophone writing, comparative literature, religion & literature, translation studies and ecocriticism.
Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies, Director of Student Experience
Dr Katie Natanel
As Director of Education and Student Experience, Katie acts as the senior lead responsible for education and student experience within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, in particular promoting a culture of teaching and education excellence in the department, in partnership with the Head of Department and IAIS academic and professional services colleagues, student representatives and the Faculty Education team
Email: K.Natanel@exeter.ac.uk
Professor of Islamic Intellectual History and Islamic Studies, Director of Business Engagement
Professor Sajjad Rizvi
Sajjad Rizvi is Professor of Islamic Intellectual History. An intellectual historian working on philosophy in Islam and global philosophy, his commitment to decoloniality is expressed in the desire to encourage more international students and to develop meaningful partnerships with institutions in the global south.
Email: s.h.rizvi@exeter.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Maritime Archaeology & Arabic, Director of Business Engagement
Professor John P. Cooper
As DBEI John is keen to help find opportunities to connect academic and expertise with the needs and requirements of Business, Industry and End Users.
Email: J.P.Cooper@exeter.ac.uk
Al Qasimi Professor in Islamic Studies, as Director of Research
Professor Nahyan Fancy
Nahyan Fancy is the al-Qasimi Professor in Islamic Studies. His main area of research is science and medicine in pre-1500 Islamic societies, and their intersection with philosophy and religion.
Email: N.Fancy2@exeter.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Arabic Languages, Senior Tutor (UG)
Fatima Rawan
Fatima Rawan is Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies. Fatima thrives on innovation and excellence. With over three decades of teaching in HE, she has worked on enhancing all aspects of learning and teaching, engaged with different sectors and educational institutions in the UK and overseas and won multiple awards.
Email: f.rawan@exeter.ac.uk
Department Manager
Cathy Potter
Cathy Potter supports the department leadership team in the smooth running of the department.
Email: c.potter@exeter.ac.uk
