• Classical and medieval Arabic literature
• Modern Arabic poetry
• The Qur’an
• Plural Islam
• The Indian Ocean

• Prayer.  In Key Themes for the Study of Islam, ed. Jamal J. Elias (Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2010), 263-280.
• Azad Bilgrami.  In Essays in Arabic Literary Biography II: 1350-1850, ed. Joseph E. Lowry and Devin J. Stewart (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2008]: Azad Bilgrami (1704-1786), 91-98
• The Shifa’ al-‘alil of Azad Bilgrami (d. 1200/1786): Introducing an Eighteenth-Century Work on al-Mutanabbi’s Poetry.  In Middle Eastern Literatures 11/2 (2008), 249–264
• Referencing the Qur’an: A Proposal, with Illustrative Translations and Discussion.  In Journal of Qur’anic Studies 9(1) (2007), 134–148
• Islamic Literatures: Writing in the Shade of the Qur’an.  In Voices of Islam, vol. 4:  Voices of Beauty, Art and Science, ed. Vincent Cornell (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 2006), 121–141
• Defining Adab by (re)defining the Adib: Ibn Abi Tahir Tayfur and storytelling.  In On Fiction and Adab in Medieval Arabic Literature, ed. Philip Kennedy (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2005), 285-306.
• Modern Arabic Literature and the Qur’an: Creativity, Inimitability… Incompatibilities?  In Religious Perspectives in Modern Muslim and Jewish Literatures, ed. Glenda Abramson and Hilary Kilpatrick (London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2005), 239-257.
• Travel in the Medieval Islamic World: The Importance of Patronage as Illustrated by `Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi (and other littérateurs).  In Eastward Bound: Travel and Travellers, 1050-1550, ed. Rosamund Allen (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2004), 57-70. [refereed]
• Ibn Abi Tahir vs. al-Jahiz.  In `Abbasid Studies. Occasional Papers of the School of 'Abbasid Studies. Cambridge, 6-10 July 2002, ed. James Montgomery (Leuven:  Peeters, 2004), 247-261.
• (revision): A Portrait of `Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi's Education and Instruction.  In Law and Education in Medieval Islam: Studies in Memory of George Makdisi, ed. J. Lowry, D. Stewart and S. M. Toorawa (Cambridge: Gibb Memorial Trust, 2004), 91-109
•  “We were here first”: The rhetoric of identity and anteriority among African-American Muslims and Muslims in Mauritius.  In Journal of Islamic Law and Culture 8(1) (Spring/Summer 2003), 1-39
• Seeking refuge from evil: The power and portent of the closing chapters of the Qur’an.  In Journal of Qur’anic Studies 4(2) (2002), 54-60
• Wâq al-wâq: Fabulous, Fabular, Indian Ocean (?) Islands…  In Emergences 10(2) (November 2000), 387-402

• Dracula [a translation of Salwa Al-Naimi, ‘Drakula’, with Translator’s Note].  In Poetry194/1 (April 2009), 62-63.
• Two poems by Adonis [‘Flower of Alchemy’ and ‘Church of Daytime’, translations of ‘Zahrat al-kimiya’ and ‘Kanisat al-nahar’], in al-‘Arabiyya 40-41 (2007-2008), 145.
• Toward an English rhymed prose translation of Surat al-Rahman [Q rahman55] in al-‘Arabiyya 39-40 (2005-2006).
• Adonis, Three Poems [‘Captive Wonder’, ‘The Tree of Day and Night’, and ‘The Sign’, translations of ‘al-Dahshah al-asirah’, ‘Shajarat al-naar wal-layl’, and ‘al-Ishara’], Moving Worlds: A Journal of Transcultural Writings 8(1) (2008), 74-75.
• The Fall [translation of Adonis, ‘al-Suqut’]. Redivider 5(1) (Fall 2007), 81.
• Q Insān 76, Q Yā Sīn 36, and Q Fātiḥa 1.  In ‘Referencing the Qur’an: A Proposal, with Illustrative Translations and Discussion,’ in Journal of Qur’anic Studies 9(1) (2007), 139–147.
• The New Noah [a translation of Adonis, ‘Nuh al-jadid’, with Translator’s Note].  In Poetry 190/1 (April 2007), 21-23.
• ‘The Inimitable Rose’, being Qur’anic saj‘ from Surat al-Duhâ to Surat al-Nâs (Q. 93–114) in English rhyming prose, in Journal of Qur’anic Studies 8.2 (2006), 143–153.
• Selections from the Autograph Notes of ‘Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi.  In K. Brustad et al, Interpreting the Self: Autobiography in the Arabic Literary Tradition, ed. D. F. Reynolds (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001), 156-164.
• A Soiree with Abu Khalil al-Qabbani.  A translation of Sa‘dallah Wannus, ‘Sahra ma‘a Abi Khalil al-Qabbani’.  Part 1.  Journal of Arabic and Middle Eastern Literatures 3(1) (January 2000), 19-49.

• A Glimpse into the Education of a Medieval Muslim Polymath: 'Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi's Autobiography. York-Noor Lecture Series, Vanier College, York University, Toronto (November 2009) [invited]
• Fathers and Mothers in the Qur’an. York-Noor Lecture Series, Noor Cultural Centre, Toronto (November 2009) [invited]
• (Absent) Fathers in the Qur’an. 6^th Conference on the Qur’an, Centre of Islamic Studies at SOAS, University of London (November 2009)
• Where women grow on trees: The strange tale of a strange fruit.  Faculty Lecture, First-Year Parents’ Weekend, Cornell University (October 2009) [invited]
• Loan Words and Lone Words:  An Inquiry into the Function(s) of Hapaxes, Quadriliterals and other such curiosities in the Qur’an.  The Qur’an in its Historical Context 2.  Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN (April 2009) [invited]
• Is Anything Sacred?  Modern Arabic Writers and the Qur’an.  Religion Distinguished Visitor, Haverford College, Haverford, PA (February 2009) [invited]
• Panelist, Nobel Prize 2008: A Panel Discussion about J. G. Le Clézio, French Studies Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (November 2008) [invited]
• Discussant, School of ‘Abbasid Studies, Trinity Hall, Cambridge, England (July 2008) [invited]
• (with Leslie Sadler) Does Engagement with Students in Residential Communities Benefit Faculty Teaching?  NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, Boston Convention Center (March 2008).
• Panel Chair, ‘Characters and Characterisation.’ 5^th Conference on the Qur’an: Text, Interpretation & Translation, Centre of Islamic Studies at SOAS, University of London (November 2007) [invited]
• Panelist, ‘Othering: Social Processes and Cultural Expressions:  Imagining Muslims/Imagining Others: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe.’ Institute for European Studies Religious Pluralism Conference, Kahin Center, Cornell University (September 2007) [invited]
• ‘Arabic Literature in the 18^th century: Azad Bilgrami and his Commitments.’ Institute of Ismaili Studies (May 2007) [invited]
• ‘Arabic Literature in the ‘Age of Decline”—Lessons from 18^th century India.’ Fellows Seminar, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford (May 2007) [invited]
• ‘The Compatibility of Literature and Revelation:  Arabic and Muslim Writers and the Qur’an.’ Fairchild Lecture, University of Southern Mississippi (March 2007) [invited]
• ‘What ‘asr al-inhitat?  Azad Bilgrami and Arabic Literature.’ University of Kolkata International Seminar on Perso-Arabic Threads in Indian Tapestry, Asiatic Society, Kolkata (February 2007) [invited]
• ‘Thinking about adab (writerly culture) in 9^th century Baghdad.’ Department of Arabic, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India (December 2006) [invited]
• ‘Adonis, a “prophetic” poet.’ Department of Arabic, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India (December 2006) [invited]
• ‘Oriental Studies and Islamic Studies in North America—Before and After.’  Vice-Chancellor Extension Lecture, Aligarh Muslim University (November 2006) [invited]
• Paper, paper everywhere:  Arabic Writerly Culture in 9^th Century Baghdad, Faculty Seminar, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India (September 2006) [invited]
• ‘Al-adab al-‘Arabi al-mu‘asir wal-Qur’an al-karim/Modern Arabic literature and the Holy Qur’an.’ Department of Arabic, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India, September 2006 [invited]
• ‘Who (and how) does Ibn al-Nadim cluster?  Looking for answers in Fihrist 3.3.’  School of ‘Abbasid Studies, St Andrews University, Scotland (July 2006)
• Meta-Discussant, Illusions of Order: A Border-Crossing Undergraduate Symposium on Medieval Cultural Production, A. D. White House, Cornell University (April 2006) [invited]
• Parallelism and echoes in Sura Maryam (but not where you think).  Qur'an: Text, Interpretation and Translation,  Centre of Islamic Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, Univeristy of London (November 2005) (invited)]
• Portrayal of the Self in the Work of Adonis, or The Arab(ic) Poet as Prophet. Portrayal of the Self in the Modern Middle East, University of Groningen (May 2005) [invited]
• What’s in the Kitab al-manthur wa-al-manzum (before 280/893) anyway? School of `Abbasid Studies, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium (July 2004) [invited]
• `Ubaydallah ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Tahir, d. 313/925.  214th Meeting of the American Oriental Society, San Diego, CA (March 2004)
• Faculty Participant, Writing (Disciplinary) Writing: Four Years and Beyond. Cornell Panel, John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines Summer Consortium 2004, Cornell University, NY (June 2004) [invited]
• The Quran and Modern Arabic Literature.  Arabic Studies University Seminar, Columbia University (April 2003) [invited]
• Travel in the medieval Islamic world reconsidered.  213th Meeting of the American Oriental Society, Nashville, TN (April 2003)
• Islam in a Pluralistic World. 5th Annual MSA Banquet. Colgate University, (March 2003) [invited]
• How `Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi (and others) helped me rethink travel in the Islamic middle ages.  Asian and African Languages and Literature and the Center for the Study of Muslim Networks, Duke University (February 2003) [invited]
• Ibn Abi Tahir v. al-Jahiz, or defining the adib.  School of `Abbasid Studies, Trinity Hall, Cambridge, England (July 2002) [invited]
• ‘Yafirru min al-munaziri in atahu,’ or Ibn Abi Tahir and (never) running from a good ‘fight.’  212th Meeting of the American Oriental Society, Houston, TX (March 2002)

Service to the University:

• Elected Humanities Representative, General Committee, Graduate School (2009-13)
• Elected Member, University Appeals Panel (2007-2012)
• Nominated Member, Faculty Advisory Committee on Tenure Appointments (2007-10)
• Near Eastern Studies Representative, Faculty Senate (2007-10)
• Faculty-in-Residence, Mews Hall (2007–)
• Member, North Campus/Collegetown Council (2009-12)
• Faculty Advisor, Muslim Educational and Cultural Association (2002-)
• Faculty-in-Residence, Mews Residence Hall (2007–)

Service to the profession:

• Director, American Oriental Society (2004-11)
• Sectional Chair, Islam, American Oriental Society  (2004-11)
• Referee for professional journals:  International Journal of Middle East Studies, Journal of Arabic Literature, Middle Eastern Literatures, ZDMG
• Reader for presses:  Routledge, Syracuse University Press, Columbia University Press, Oxford University Press
• Evaluator for grants:  Macarthur Foundation, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Society for the Humanities (Cornell); Noma; Affinio-Stewart; Wellcome Institute

• 1983    Middlebury College Arabic Summer Language School

• New Directions Fellowship, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (2006-09)
• Visiting Fellowship, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (April-August 2007)
• Senior Long-Term Fellowship, American Institute for Indian Studies (NEH Humanities Fellowship Program at Independent Research Institutions) (October 2006-April 2007)
• 2001 (Fall), Faculty Fellowship, Focal Theme: ‘Diaspora and the Critical Imagination,’ Society for the Humanities, Cornell University
• 2000-01, Ford Foundation Fellowship (non-resident), Project on Creolization in the Indian Ocean, Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies, New York University
• 1999-2000, Rockefeller African Humanities Institute Junior Fellowship, W. E. B. Du Bois Institute, Harvard University
• 1997, Doctoral Fellowship, School of Arts and Science, University of Pennsylvania
• 1988-89, Fellowship, American Research Center in Egypt, Cairo

• Humanities Faculty Research Grant (2010)
• Honorary Member, National Residence Hall Honorary (2008-10)
• The James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial Understanding and Harmony, Cornell University (2006)
• Zahid ‘Ali Scholarship, Institute for Ismaili Studies, London (2005-10)
• Member, Honorary Advisory Board, Abraham’s Vision (2005–)
• Sophomore Seminar development grant, John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines, Cornell University (2004)
• Subvention, John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines, Cornell University (for A Time between Ashes and Roses) (2004)
• Award, Hull Memorial Publication Fund, Cornell University (for A Time between Ashes and Roses) (2004)
• Humanities Faculty Research Grant, Society for the Humanities, Cornell University (2003-04)
• Principal Investigator,Intercultural Awareness Cooperative (COOP) Grant, NAFSA:             Association of International Educators, ‘Muslims and Islam: Revealed’ (2002-03)
• Member International Jury, Zanzibar International Film Festival, Stonetown, Zanzibar (1999)
• First Prize, Aftaab-e-Islam Mosque Centenary Essay Competition , Mauritius (1996)
• Honorable Mention, American Association of Teachers of Arabic Translation (AATA) Contest (1991)
• Second Prize, The Ezra Pound Award for Literary Translation, University of Pennsylvania (1989)
• Honorable Mention, William Carlos Williams Award of the Academy of American Poets (1988)
• First Prize, AATA Translation Contest (1986)
• Mortar Board Senior Honors Society (1984)