FSU historian awarded prestigious fellowship to advance Middle Eastern research at Durham University 

A Florida State University faculty member has been honored as the 2025 Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellow by Durham University to further explore the institution’s archives, historical manuscripts and rare documents on Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.

Associate Professor of History Will Hanley’s work examines Egypt’s role in global systems, highlighting contributions from regions often overshadowed by traditional historical power centers. He will spend five weeks this spring in England at Durham University, affiliated with the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and Grey College, where he will deepen his expertise and focus on his forthcoming book “Cairo, Capital of International Law.”

“This fellowship provides me with access to an archive ideally suited for my research on Egypt from the 1890s to the 1930s,” Hanley said. “Despite the region’s significance, few historians specialize in this period, making this fellowship a perfect match for my interests. I am excited about the opportunities for discovery that lie ahead.”

While at Durham University, Hanley will engage with fellow scholars, attend lectures and take part in academic discussions focusing on areas of interest to enhance his experience.

“Being named the Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellow is a testament to Professor Hanley’s exceptional scholarship and dedication to advancing our knowledge of a pivotal moment in history, the development of international law at the turn-of-the-twentieth century,” said Jennifer Koslow, Department of History chair and professor. “This fellowship not only recognizes his past achievements but also provides a unique opportunity to further his groundbreaking research.”

Hanley emphasized the significance of this fellowship for both his role as a professor at FSU and as an educator guiding students in this field.

“A really important part of providing students with the best instruction is that I also have a vital scholarly agenda of my own,” he said. “My research infuses my teaching with enthusiasm, creating an exchange in this ecosystem of knowledge production between my primary research and the teaching of my students.”

“A really important part of providing students with the best instruction is that I also have a vital scholarly agenda of my own. My research infuses my teaching with enthusiasm, creating an exchange in this ecosystem of knowledge production between my primary research and the teaching of my students.”

— Will Hanley, associate professor of history

Having taught at FSU for 16 years, Hanley has significantly contributed to the Middle East Center in the College of Arts and Sciences  as a participating faculty member while researching legal history.

The Middle East Center, established in 2002 within the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, offers an undergraduate degree in Middle Eastern Studies that promotes interdisciplinary scholarship and fosters a deeper understanding of the Middle East through various learning opportunities such as lectures, symposiums and an annual film festival.

While in graduate school, Hanley studied Arabic in Tunisia, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, and values the opportunities for the various language studies that FSU offers its students.

“One thing you can do when you’re young is to try to acquire languages,” he said. “Our Middle East Center has excellent language training; that language training is the foundation for any work you want to do in this part of the world.”

Hanley’s dedication to uncovering the rich history of the Middle East and his commitment to academic excellence continue to inspire both his students and colleagues at FSU.

“Florida State University is one of America’s great public universities,” Hanley said. “We work to teach the citizens of the state, the children of the citizens of this state and to equip them to understand the world that we live in. We are very fortunate here to have a longstanding strong Middle East studies program.”

Hanley’s fellowship work will be published by Durham University, with the Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship. At Durham, he will deliver a lecture for the Middle East Papers Series and submit a chapter for an edited volume within four months.

For more information about FSU’s Department of History, visit history.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Middle East Center, visit mec.fsu.edu.

The post FSU historian awarded prestigious fellowship to advance Middle Eastern research at Durham University  appeared first on Florida State University News.