Alum Spotlight: Ibrahim Gemeah, Ph.D. ’23

September 22, 2025

Ibrahim Gemeah, Ph.D. ’23, is an alumnus of the Near Eastern studies doctoral program with a focus on the history of the modern Middle East. He is now an assistant professor of modern Middle East and North African history in the department of Middle Eastern languages and cultures at Indiana University.

Tell us about your current position and what you find rewarding about it.

I am an assistant professor of modern Middle East and North African history in the department of Middle Eastern languages and cultures at Indiana University. This role is especially fulfilling because it allows me to pursue both teaching and research—two areas that are central to my academic and intellectual identity. I teach courses on the history and politics of the Modern Middle East and Islam, and my engagement with students continually pushes me to revisit and refine my own research questions and methodologies.

What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to facilitate critical, informed conversations about the Middle East—particularly at a time when the region is undergoing profound challenges and is often misrepresented in public discourse. The classroom becomes a space for moving beyond headlines and simplistic narratives, encouraging students to engage with the region’s historical depth and political complexity. These discussions not only deepen students’ understanding but also enable me to contribute to the broader mission of higher education: cultivating informed, thoughtful, and socially responsible global citizens.

How did your Cornell graduate education prepare you to succeed professionally?

Cornell’s Near Eastern studies department provided an outstanding foundation for my professional development as both a scholar and educator. The department cultivated a rigorous yet supportive intellectual environment in which faculty, administrators, and fellow graduate students played a central role in shaping my academic growth. I was fortunate to have Professor Ziad Fahmy as a dedicated advisor and mentor, and Professors David Powers and Mostafa Minawi as committed committee members. Their consistent guidance, critical feedback, and encouragement were instrumental at every stage of my doctoral work.

In addition, Cornell’s exceptional research infrastructure—particularly its vast library collections and access to rare archival materials—significantly enriched my scholarship. The support I received from both the Graduate School and the Near Eastern studies department, including research and travel funding, enabled me to carry out essential archival work in the U.K. and Egypt. These experiences not only deepened the archival foundations of my dissertation but also prepared me for the demands of academic research, publication, and teaching in a highly competitive professional environment.

If you were supported by a fellowship during your graduate studies, how did it help you?

I was fortunate to receive several research and travel grants during my time at Cornell, including the Graduate School Research Travel Grant, the Einaudi Center Travel Grant, and the Near Eastern Studies Department’s Kroll Travel Grant. I was also awarded Cornell’s Sage Fellowship, which provided crucial support at both the beginning and end of my graduate journey. It enabled me to focus fully on my coursework and research during my first year, supported extensive archival research abroad over the summers, and afforded me the time and flexibility to devote my final year entirely to writing and completing my dissertation.

These forms of support were instrumental in advancing my dissertation research, enabling me to conduct fieldwork in both the U.K. and Egypt. With this funding, I gained access to essential archival materials at the National Archives in London and Cairo and conducted interviews that added critical depth and nuance to my project. Beyond enriching the substance of my research, these opportunities also facilitated important professional development—allowing me to engage with international scholars, expand my academic network, and strengthen my skills as a historian working across languages, geographies, and archives.

What drives you to want a career in higher education?

Pursuing a career in higher education allows me to engage deeply with both research and teaching—two passions that have shaped my intellectual journey. I find profound fulfillment in uncovering overlooked historical narratives and contributing to broader scholarly conversations, while also mentoring students as they develop critical tools to analyze the past and how it relates to the present. Teaching, in particular, is a dynamic and reciprocal process that continually challenges me to refine my own thinking and scholarship.

What drives me most, however, is the opportunity to educate students about a region—the Middle East and North Africa—that is often deeply misunderstood and frequently misrepresented. This career gives me the platform to challenge prevailing misconceptions, encourage nuanced analysis, and foster informed and empathetic engagement with the histories, cultures, and politics of the region that shaped me. It allows me to contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of its complexities and enduring legacies.

In which areas (teaching, research, etc.) did you feel most prepared as you were leaving Cornell, and where did you need to seek additional professional development as a postdoc? How did you seek that professional development?

At Cornell, I felt especially well-prepared in both research and teaching. The rigorous academic training, close mentorship, and access to exceptional archival and scholarly resources provided a strong foundation in historical analysis and academic writing. My coursework and dissertation research equipped me with the tools to conduct original scholarship and engage deeply with complex historiographical debates.Teaching was also an area in which I felt well-prepared. Serving as a graduate teaching assistant for several courses exposed me to a range of pedagogical approaches and classroom environments. Working with professors who had different teaching styles allowed me to observe and adopt various techniques, helping me develop my own approach to student engagement, course design, and lecture delivery.

However, upon beginning my postdoctoral fellowship at Duke, I recognized the need to further develop my professional skills—particularly in navigating the highly competitive academic job market. With the guidance and support of my mentors, I focused on strengthening my publication portfolio by organizing chapter and article workshops that offered critical and constructive feedback. I also engaged in mock job talks and interview preparation, which helped me refine my presentation skills and effectively communicate the significance of my research to a broad academic audience. This targeted professional development proved essential in preparing me for the faculty job search and successfully transitioning into a tenure-track position.

What do you think made a difference for you or helped you in getting a faculty job?

Several factors were instrumental in helping me secure a faculty position. First and foremost, the mentorship and support I received at Cornell, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Duke University made a significant difference. My mentors offered thoughtful feedback on my research, guided me through the complexities of the job market, and encouraged me to present my work in professional venues.

Second, actively workshopping my research, and securing external fellowships and grants, helped strengthen my academic profile. Participating in mock job talks and interviews, especially at Cornell and Duke, was also invaluable for refining my presentation skills and building confidence. Lastly, engaging with a broader scholarly community allowed me to receive critical insights, expand my intellectual horizons, and build relationships that have been both personally and professionally enriching.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I like to challenge myself in ways completely unrelated to academia—like taking on the most intricate and time-consuming Middle Eastern recipes I can find, the kind that require an unreasonable number of ingredients and hours of slow cooking. When I’m not transforming my kitchen into a reenactment of a historical Egyptian banquet, I enjoy practicing Arabic calligraphy. It’s a quiet, meditative craft that tests both my hand-eye coordination and my patience. Most importantly, I love spending time at the beach, where I can enjoy the sun, the sea, and the simplicity of the moment.

If you could go back in time to the beginning of your graduate career, what advice would you give yourself?

I would remind myself that there’s more to graduate school than just research and that it is important to make space for joy and connection along the way. One of the best decisions I made during my time at Cornell was serving as a graduate community advisor for student housing. It gave me a much-needed break from the dissertation grind, allowed me to engage with peers from a range of disciplines, and offered the chance to organize events that brought people together. Some of my favorite moments came from shared meals—because few things build community like a potluck where everyone brings a dish from home.