Islam Issa
Professor of Literature and History
Islam Issa is a multi-award-winning author, broadcaster, and curator. A literary critic and historian, his work focuses on the reception of early modern English literature in global contexts, and the cultural history of the Middle East.
Through an international repertoire of publications, exhibitions, TV and radio appearances, and speaking tours,听Islam is a public humanities practitioner who brings pioneering approaches and fresh narratives to the fields of literature, history, and cultural studies.
Biography
I am a multi-award-winning author, broadcaster, and curator. After receiving my PhD from the University of 探花直播, I joined 探花直播 as the first Professor of Literature and History.
I have authored six books, curated three exhibitions, and presented numerous TV and radio documentaries.听I most regularly teach the specialist final year module on Shakespeare.
Academic expertise
Much of my research has centred on renaissance and early听modern literature, especially the writings of John Milton and William Shakespeare.听I work primarily on cultural history and reception theory, in addition to digital humanities and literary translation.听
The nature of my literary and historical enquiry also means that I end up touching on several听other disciplines including visual art, media, music, philosophy, and theology.
On top of that, through my public writing, broadcasting, exhibitions, and speaking tours, I am a public humanities practitioner who brings pioneering approaches and fresh narratives to the fields of literature, history, and cultural studies.
Industry connections
I have appeared on TV听and radio over听100 times on听more than 50 different stations worldwide, and in three languages.
I presented the TV documentary听Cleopatra and Me听(BBC Four) and four听radio documentaries:听Shakespeare and Terrorism,听The Balcony, Forbidden Fruit,听and听Shakespeare's Brum Ting听(BBC Radio 3). I鈥檝e also featured听on听networks like BBC Two, History Channel, and Netflix.
I have written for听BBC History Magazine,听Guardian,听Independent,听New Statesman,听Times Higher Education, and听Times Literary Supplement.
Notable projects
My book,听Alexandria: The City that Changed the World,听is a complete history of the magnificent city of Alexandria from its founding to the present day. Among other accolades,听Alexandria听is a听Sunday Times听and听Times Literary Supplement听鈥楤ook of the Year鈥�, and has been shortlisted for the Runciman Award.
Links and Social Media
Media Appearances
- Documentary Presenter (TV)听, BBC Four听(May 2019)
- Documentary Presenter (Radio)听, BBC Radio 3 (March 2023)
- ,听BBC Radio 3听(March 2022)
- , BBC Radio 3 (February 2021)
- , BBC Radio 3 (November 2018)
- TV and Radio appearances: For a full list,听click听.
- Presenter (BBC Radio 3)
- The Essay: "" (April 2023)
- Arts & Ideas: 鈥�鈥� (July 2022)
- The Shakespeare Sessions:听听(April 2020)
- Drama on 3:听听(April 2020)
- Free Thinking: 鈥�鈥� (February/April 2020)
- Arts & Ideas: "" (February 2020)