Dr. Janet Afary is a distinguished scholar, author, and educator whose work bridges the worlds of history, gender studies, and Middle Eastern cultural studies. As a Founding Board Member of the Dehkhoda Educational Foundation, she brings a deep commitment to advancing education, social progress, and cultural understanding.
Currently the Mellichamp Professor of Religious Studies and Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Afary is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research on modern Iranian history, democracy movements, and gender equity in the Middle East.
Dr. Afary is the author of numerous influential works, including Sexual Politics in Modern Iran, The Iranian Constitutional Revolution, and Foucault and the Iranian Revolution (co-authored with Kevin Anderson). Of special significance to the Dehkhoda Educational Foundation is her seminal book The Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Grassroots Democracy, Social Democracy, and the Origins of Feminism in Iran, which explores the life and impact of Ali Akbar Dehkhoda — the celebrated Iranian linguist, journalist, and reformist whose legacy inspires the Foundation’s mission.
Her work on Dehkhoda sheds light on his role not only as a literary figure, but as a trailblazer for secular education, linguistic reform, and democratic thought in Iran. Through this work and her broader scholarship, Dr. Afary gives voice to the intellectual and cultural currents that continue to shape Iran and the global Iranian diaspora.
With roots in Iran and a lifelong dedication to education and human rights, Dr. Afary exemplifies the values of peace, progress, and prosperity that guide the Dehkhoda Educational Foundation. Her voice continues to shape international conversations on justice, equity, and civic engagement.
