Hi, I’m Ashkan.

I’m a historian of modern Iran and researcher on contemporary Iranian politics. I am a DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford, where my doctoral thesis examines the armed opposition movement to the Shah, the international dimensions of the Iranian Revolution, and Iran’s connections to the wider Middle East.

My broader research interests span the history and politics of the Islamic Republic, including its political institutions, military strategy, and regional alliances.

Before beginning my DPhil, I completed an MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford and a BA in Political Science and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago.

Outside my research, I have a strong interest in languages. In addition to English, I speak Persian, French, and Spanish fluently. I am also proficient in Arabic and Portuguese and am currently learning Azerbaijani and Turkish.