Arizona State University
School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies
About the Position
Arizona State University's The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invites applications and nominations for the inaugural IFANCA Chair of Indian Muslim Studies, at the rank of Associate Professor, with a start date of August 16, 2027. The Chair will hold tenure in the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies (SHPRS) and will be fully embedded in the Center of Muslim Experience in the United States (CME-US), ASU's hub for innovative, publicly engaged scholarship on Muslim life in America and globally.
Position Overview
The inaugural IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) Chair of Indian Muslim Studies will be a senior scholar — or a highly accomplished scholar on a strong upward trajectory whose work exemplifies both rigorous humanistic inquiry and the capacity to lead. The Chair will advance innovative research in Indian Muslim Studies, shape CME-US's intellectual agenda, and contribute to ASU's commitments to inclusive excellence, global engagement, and meaningful public scholarship.
About the Center of Muslim Experience in the United States (CME-US)
The Center of Muslim Experience in the United States (CME-US) is a multi-partnership, transdisciplinary research and community outreach center at Arizona State University leading the way in producing transformative scholarship about Muslims in the U.S. that contributes to an American inclusive future.
About the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies
ASU’s School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies (SHPRS) is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative transdisciplinary humanities institutions. With 92 faculty and nearly 1,600 majors, the school teaches more than 33,000 students each year in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. A substantial portion of the student population is online, including a pioneering master’s program in World War II Studies in collaboration with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Additionally, the school hosts transdisciplinary programs and affiliated research and education centers.
About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body,
guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit
https://thecollege.asu.edu.
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
Essential Functions
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- The Chair will advance innovative research in Indian Muslim Studies, shape CME-US's intellectual agenda, and contribute to ASU's commitments to inclusive excellence, global engagement, and meaningful public scholarship.
- Maintain a distinguished, internationally recognized research and publishing agenda in Indian Muslim Studies within their humanistic discipline
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with their expertise and in accordance with the curricular needs of the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies
- Mentor graduate students and junior faculty
- Provide intellectual leadership in shaping CME-US's research, programming, and initiatives related to Indian Muslim Studies
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across ASU, nationally, and internationally
- Organize and convene regular conferences, workshops, and seminars
- Engage public audiences, community partners, and broader civic life
- Supports IFANCA’s mission which includes values of service, adaptability, and integrity and increase awareness through education
Disciplinary Home and Areas of Scholarly Interest
This position is anchored in the Humanities and housed in SHPRS. We particularly welcome scholars working in:
- History (including intellectual, social, religious, political, and cultural history)
- Religious Studies (anthropology of religion, religious thought, material culture, and contemporary and global religious movements)
- Philosophy (including political philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of religion)
- Related humanistic fields such as Literary and Cultural Studies, Gender and Justice Studies, Ethnic Studies, Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, or Law and Ethics, where the primary methodology is humanistic
Candidates’ research should focus on Indian Muslim communities in any period (precolonial, colonial, or postcolonial) with attention to contemporary concerns, and may address themes including, but not limited to, pluralism and justice, postcolonial nationalisms, migration and diaspora (with particular attention to Indian Muslims in the United States), law and governance, public narratives and public memory, environmental humanities and ethics, social movements, intellectual history, or everyday lived experience.
Appointment and Support
The IFANCA Endowed Chair comes with a competitive salary, dedicated research funds, and programming support commensurate with rank and experience. The Chair will be fully integrated into CME-US's collaborative environment and is expected to be an active contributor to its mission and community. The position also offers opportunities to collaborate with other ASU centers and initiatives focused on religion and conflict, transborder studies, Asian studies, security studies, and applied ethics.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, or a related Humanities discipline
- Qualifications commensurate with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor at ASU
- A record of scholarly excellence commensurate with rank
- An active research agenda with evidence of sustained productivity and impact
Desired Qualifications:
- Familiarity with or experience in Islamic Studies, South Asian Studies, or related fields
- Demonstrated commitment to innovative teaching and graduate mentorship
- Experience with and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration
- Experience in or demonstrated interest in center-based or collaborative research environments
- A demonstrated record of or clear potential for public and community engagement
- Experience organizing academic conferences, workshops, or seminar series
- Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students, and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.
Application Instructions:
The application deadline is 13 November 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.
The application is found on Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/193990
Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials:
- a curriculum vitae
- a letter of interest
- the names, positions, and contact information of three references who may be contacted directly
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU’s full nondiscrimination statement (ACD 401) is located on the ASU website at https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX.
Clery Act Statement
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.